Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 review
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 takes Fujifilm's instant cameras to new artistic levels by providing the most sophisticated controls available for adjusting photos together with the greatest variety of entertaining features of any Instax camera to date. LED light effects give a fresh creative element that I couldn't stop toying with, while they could have been gimmicky and gaudy. The Instax Mini 99 is also my favorite-looking Instax camera to date; it doesn't have any vibrant colors and instead perfects a timeless design that ought to work for everyone.
Pros:
LED light effects work really well.
Creative controls for fine-tuning images.
The best-looking Instax camera yet.
Cons:
Extra features might not be worth the price premium.
No selfie mirror.
Environmental impact of disposable parts.
The world still loves Instax cameras for their very special instant print photography experience. This is especially true in a world going more and more digital, where taking thousands of pictures of the things around you every day is just normal.
Though there are options for most price points and camera design preferences, you might think that the Instax range—especially the Instax Mini selection—is already rather well-developed. Maybe because of this, Fujifilm decided to move up the ladder instead of introducing a new model too soon or updating an old model with a pointless update. The fact that Polaroid decided to release its own highly developed instant camera may also have something to do with it.
Whatever the motivation, Fujifilm's Instax Mini 99 is the most sophisticated and serious Instax camera to date, putting a true emphasis on photographic technique and creativity. Although that doesn’t mean it loses any part of the Instax formula for fun, with new creative modes and special effects, this is the best of both worlds.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Film used | Fujifilm Instax Mini Film (62 mm × 46 mm) |
| Lens | Manual focus 0.3m to ∞, 60 mm, 1:12.7 |
| Viewfinder | 0.37×, parallax correction for Macro Mode |
| Shutter | Auto 1.8 to 1/400 seconds, Bulb Mode (max 10 sec) |
| Exposure control | Automatic: LV 5.0 to 14.8 (ISO 800) |
| Exposure compensation | –5/3EV, –2/3EV, +2/3EV, +1EV |
| Flash | Automatic flash (automatic light adjustment), Indoor Mode (slow synchro flash), Fill-in flash, Flash off, Red-eye removal |
| Effective flash range | 0.3 m to 2.7 m |
| Power supply | Battery NP-70S, approx. 100 shots |
| Auto power off | 5 minutes |
| Self-timer | 10 seconds |
| Dimensions | 103.5 × 117.5 × 60.0 mm |
| Weight | 340 g (without battery, shoulder strap, and film) |
INSTAX MINI 99: DESIGN & HANDLING
The Instax Mini 99 is the best-looking Instax camera so far, sharing the same smart classic aesthetic as cameras like the Instax Mini 40. It is still quite plastic-y but has a solid quality to it and doesn't feel nearly as cheap as the Mini 12.
The camera has the usual body shape and hallmarks like a twist lens and small eyepiece to look through. Fujifilm has added a few new focus zones, such as the macro/selfie zone for subjects between 0.3-0.6m from the camera, but the otherwise catch-all focus from other Instax cameras is now separated into Standard Mode for anything in between 0.6m and 3.0m, and Landscape Mode for everything from beyond 3.0m. This allows you to limit missed focus on an Instax camera by making you think harder about where your subject is, although this does rely on you being able to visualize distances accurately.
There is also a small switch on the front of the lens which pops out a small plastic circle around the edge of the lens to add some fake vignetting to images. This may not be something that I have ever really considered for my Instax Mini prints, but maybe it sounds exciting to someone.
An interesting but perhaps unnecessary addition to the Mini 99 is the new base grip which also doubles as a tripod mount. The left dial offers the first time any sort of exposure compensation has been included on an Instax instant camera, with the exposure being fairly rudimentary with two stops over and two stops under compensation, but these are full stops only.
The other dial on the top controls the Instax Mini 99’s new creative lighting effects. The creative lighting system uses four LED lights positioned inside the camera around the lens that flash different colored lights during film exposure to create unique effects on the film.
Completing the advanced controls, there are three buttons on the rear of the camera: turning off the flash, a self-timer for group shots, Sports Mode, Indoor Mode, Bulb Mode, and Double-Exposure Mode. All settings can now be tracked on the small screen on the rear, but it is only intended to display symbols for which mode you are in and keep track of your film count.
Lastly, the Mini 99 no longer has a selfie mirror, which seems like an odd decision to me, as one of the main purposes of Instax cameras is selfies and group shots, especially at large events like weddings.
INSTAX MINI 99: PERFORMANCE
Instax Mini film is known for its unique blend of sharpness, color science, and strong contrast. The Instax Mini 99 offers great image quality, with accurate and saturated colors, nice skin tones, and sharp subjects, thanks to the new zone focusing lens.
The creative modes on the Instax Mini 99 are impressive, with some effects being more effective than others. The light leaks effect is my personal favorite, but I am not sure how often I would use these effects to make the Mini 99 worthwhile over lesser cameras in the range.
The self-timer is a popular feature for group shots, as it eliminates the awkward arm reaching up to hold the camera. The option to switch off the flash is also a welcome feature, as it allows me to shoot outdoors in good light without artificial lighting or attracting unwanted attention. Double exposures are also enjoyable to play with, and the Mini 99 handles them well.
In summary, the Instax Mini 99 is an impressively versatile and creative Instax instant camera, offering excellent image quality, creative modes, and a wide range of controls. However, the Instax Mini Evo may be a better prospect for those who prefer non-effect shots.