FujiFilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera is the successor of Instax Mini 8 model which has been Amazon bestseller instant photo camera for a couple of years. Since you can get this for less than 75 USD this is the cheapest instant camera in the market among the latest models. If you are looking for easy to use instant photo camera which is also cheap then Mini 9 is the best choice you have there. It has everything you want from an instant camera, cheap photo paper, small size, cheap price tag, automatic settings, etc. When it comes to analog instant photo cameras, Fujifilm Instax Mini series always at the top.
Main Features of FujiFilm Instax Mini 9
- Automatic exposure mode makes life really easy.
- Comes with a brightness adjustment dial.
- A selfie mirror which let you check your framing with the mirror next to the lens for great selfies.
- A Close-up lens for shooting up to 35 cm away is possible.
- High-key mode for taking photos with a softer impression.
- Uses FujiFilm Instax Mini Film Packs.
- 1/60 Shutter Speed.
- Powered by 2 AA battery.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 vs Mini 9
Well, There isn’t a difference between these 2 models. The new model which is Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 has a selfie mirror, white square you can see near the lens. Instax Mini 8 doesn’t have it. Funny thing is the price difference. The older version, Instax Mini 8 is more expensive than the new Mini 9 model. Not sure why is that. But I think they are using the same machine to produce both cameras so newer model cost them less. I don’t think there is a point buying an old model of Instax Mini since the new instant camera is cheaper and it has that new feature, selfie mirror.
It uses Cheap Instax Mini Film
It’s not exactly cheap but it’s the cheapest when it comes to Instant camera film packs. Fujifilm Instax Mini Film is can be easily found in any online store and most of the local camera stores. Cost per photo is around 60 cents USD if you buy one of those budget packs. Also, there are more expensive film packs with themed borders. These are great for parties and kids would love to have photos with their favorite cartoons in borders.
Other Instant Cameras in Similar Price Range
When it comes to Instax Mini series there aren’t many other cheaper choices out there. But there are few instant camera models you should check. Sometimes you can find great offers for better quality cameras. A good example is the FujiFilm Instax Mini 70 camera. This is the successor of the Instax Mini 50 camera. This model is advance than Mini 8 or Mini 9 and similar to Instax Mini 90. Sometimes you can get this model for cheaper than an Instax Mini 9. Polaroid Snap digital instant camera is in same price range but a little bit higher.
I really don’t get it! How come Instax Mini 9, the latest model is cheaper than the outdated model Instax Mini 8? That’s really crazy. I really not interested in this selfie mirror thingy so I was looking for older model expecting it to be cheaper. But finally, I found an Instax Mini 9 for a crazy low price so I bought it. It was less than 60 USD !! Can you believe it! It was a blue color. I wanted a dark pink color model but that one was like 30 USD expensive than this model. Well, I didn’t want to spend extra 30 just for the cute color.
I don’t know if this is the cheapest instant camera in the market but this is my favorite one. It’s a cheap instant camera, there is no argument about that. Also as you could expect from Fujifilm it’s a quality camera even though it has a look of a cute kids camera. So much better than any of those old Polaroid cameras. I won’t compare it with this new Polaroid Originals Onestep 2 cam since it belongs to a different level. Instax series gives you more realistic photos. If you want real like photos you won’t anything better than a good Instax camera like Mini 90s. Polaroid Original Onestep 2 camera gives you retro-like photos which are pretty much similar to old Polaroids but better colors and better photo paper.
I’m a big Instax fan. But, for some reason, I have never liked the design of this series. This design makes the camera looks like a toy cam. It might be a very basic instant camera but people might mistake it to a not so quality camera. I like the look of Instax Mini 90 and Also Instax Mini 70. Both these cameras have a great design and both cameras can do better than Mini 9 or it’s predecessors. Don’t get me wrong! Nothing wrong with Instax Mini 9 model but if you can get a better camera like Mini 70 for the same price I think it’s better to go for the better camera.