Which Instax Camera Should You Buy? (2026)

go big or go home. The larger image of the Instax Wide has always made it the Instax of choice for photographers. Simple enthusiasts even figured out how to modify older models (Wide 300) with custom lenses for better quality images. The Instax Wide 400 is similar to its predecessor, the 300, in many ways. It uses the same lenses and the same full auto exposure system. If you want full exposure control, this is not the Instax for you. That said, I like this format and so does this camera.

This is a big thing. The film size is pretty good, so is the camera, but it’s easier for me to hold than some of the others here. It has a nice large grip, holding 4 AA batteries, which is enough to shoot 100 images according to Fujifilm’s specifications. Design-wise, the single-color look is reminiscent of the SQ1 (see above), spare and simple. The 95mm f/14 lens is made of two elements (both plastic) and gives you the equivalent of a 35mm focal length on a full frame camera. Fujifilm added a new close focus option to go from 10 feet to infinity focus. I wish Fuji had reversed the order, as I would sometimes forget to turn the lens on the second click and get out-of-focus images. However, once you get used to it, it’s fine.

There’s not much to this camera, and that’s part of its appeal. The lens makes nice photos, and the larger format makes sharing it with friends more fun. I do wish there was a way to manually control… anything, anything, as it would open up some more possibilities, but if you like the format this is the best camera.

Other Instax Wide cameras:

Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide for $200: If you want to spend a little more, Lomography’s Instant Wide shoots Instax Wide film and has a few additional lenses you can add. It shoots in both full auto and offers a programmatic shutter mode. I haven’t tested it yet, so I can’t speak about image quality, but the field of view of the built-in 90mm lens is about the same.

Fujifilm Wide Evo for $409: At first glance the Wide Evo looks like a clone of our top choice, the Mini Evo, but for wide format Instax film. I wish if it happens. There are some similarities. You get filter effects, some new lens filters, and an “intensity” ring, which allows you to dial in how strong different effects are. The lens can switch between wide angle (16-mm full-frame equivalent) and standard (28-mm full-frame equivalent), and there are dials to control all the effects. The shutter button is an annoying lever-style shutter, where you flip the button down instead of pressing it. This head-scratching design decision is, umm, not good. This is weird and in my experience irreparably spoils the shooting experience. Combine this with the poor shutter lag (even by Instax standards) and the price, and it’s hard to recommend. If you want a printer, choose the Instax Wide. If you want a camera, the Wide 400 or the Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide are better deals and better cameras.