It is finally here: the Instax Mini 11 from Fujifilms popular Instax camera series. The successor of the popular Instax Mini 9 follows in quite big footsteps. We will find out what new features the Mini 11 has to offer and for whom the cute instant camera is suitable!
In short:
- Successor of the Instax Mini 9
- Picture size/format: 2.4 x 1.8 inches / approx. 3:2
- Film: Instax Mini
- Automatic Exposure Metering
- New selfie/closeup mode
- Batteries: 2 x AA
- Customizable trigger
- Price: about 70$
Instax Mini 11 is the 9 – only better
The Instax Mini 9 is rightly one of the most popular instant cameras on the market. Lots of quality at an almost unrivalled price. With the Instax Mini 11, Fujifilm aims to extend this supremacy even further, and, spoiler alert, it really does!
Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 9: the differences
The Instax Mini 11 is identical to its predecessor in many areas. The cuddly design immediately reminds you of the 9, the difference lies in the size. The 11 has been significantly slimmed down, which makes it easier to transport. It also looks less bulky, a successful facelift. Compared to other cameras in this class, the design is still more playful than serious.
The exposure modes
On the Instax Mini 9, an LED provides information about the currently appropriate mode. A sensor checked the ambient brightness and decided on a shutter speed. However, the mode itself had to be set manually. With the Instax Mini 11 this is now fully automatic. Depending on the lighting conditions, the camera itself decides on the shutter speed. The new camera now has a shutter speed of 1/2 to 1/250 seconds.
The end for dark background
One of the most important differences between the 11 and the 9 is the illumination of backgrounds in closed rooms. A clear weakness of the Instax Mini 9 is that the background is often much too dark. Sometimes you can hardly see anything but black. This makes the 11 much better. The more powerful flash now adjusts the shutter speed – the result is impressive. When taking pictures indoors, the background is now also clearly visible. This gives the pictures more depth, and they look more vivid overall.
Daytime recordings
Even when shooting outdoors in brighter light conditions, the automatic shutter speeds now provide a noticeable improvement in quality. Overexposures are less frequent and the images are now much more contrasty.
Selfie mode and close-up
For close-up shots, with the mini 9 one had to use an attachable close-up lens. This lens was easy to lose and in practice, it was rarely used. The new Fujifilm solves this problem much more cleverly. For selfies or close-ups, simply pull out the front part of the lens just a little, and the instant camera is ready for close-ups. Ideal here is a distance of about 12 – 20 inches. Of course, the 11 also has a selffie mirror on the lens.
Tip: When taking close-ups and selfies, there is a slight deviation between the image in the viewfinder and the actual photo. Therefore, a point slightly to the right of the subject should be chosen here.
Operation and features of the Fujifilm Mini 11
Film
The Mini 11 still relies on the slim Instax Mini format. These images are approximately in 3:2 format, the visible part of the image (without border) measures 2.4 x 1.8 inches. Those interested in the classic square format should take a look at the Instax Square SQ6 or the new Polaroid NOW.
The insertion of the film is very easy, the yellow marking of the cartridge comes on the yellow marking of the camera. By means of a mini window at the back of the camera, one can quickly recognize over this yellow strip if a film is inserted. When film is loaded, an “S“ on the image counter indicates that the film can be removed.
Hint for beginners: For a new film, the shutter release has to be pressed once, then the protective sheet of the film comes out of the photo ejector.
The new Fujifilm takes about 90 seconds from release to the finished photo. By the way: Shaking and waving the photo is unnecessary or even harmful.
Other features
- Batteries: Requires two AA batteries, there is no built-in rechargeable battery.
- The batteries are sufficient for about 100 photos.
- Flash: The flash of the Mini 11 fires automatically, manual deactivation is not possible.
- Optical viewfinder: There is no display on the 11.
- Power On: A button next to the lens extends it and turns the camera on.
- Power Off: The camera turns off automatically after 5 minutes.
- Incl. removable hand strap
- Colours: Blush Pink, Sky Blue, Charcoal Gray, Ice White, Lilac Purple
Also new: The trigger is now interchangeable. In addition to the matching carrying strap, each camera now comes with a shutter release for replacement. You have the choice between a somewhat playful “Jewel“ shutter release and a self-luminous version. While the former is a nice gimmick, the glowing button can be quite practical for selfies in the dark. By the way, the practical carrying bag of the 11 is unfortunately only available as a separate accessory.
And what about the Instax Mini 10?
Why is the successor of the Instax Mini 9 not called Instax Mini 10? The reason is that Fujifilm has already distributed a model under the name Instax Mini 10 that is now forgotten. The Mini 10 literally dates back to the last century, more precisely to 1998, but today the camera can only be found in second-hand shops.
Technical data
- Film: Instax Mini
- picture size: 2.4 x 1.8 inches
- Two-component lens: f = 60 mm
- Weight: 10 oz (without film, belt and batteries)
- Dimensions: 42 x 48 x 27 inches
- Optical viewfinder with aiming point
- Distance close-ups: 12 – 20 inches
- Shutter speeds: 1/2 to 1/250 sec.
- Flash: automatic
- Batteries: 2 x AA (1.5V)
- Development time: approx. 90 sec.
CONCLUSION
There’s a new queen in the budget class. For the price of currently 70 bucks it will be hard to find a better instant camera. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is clearly aimed at a point-and-shoot audience. No complicated modes, no settings, just switch on and shoot. Thanks to automatic shutter speed adjustment, photos in darker environments are now decently lit, and selfies with bright faces but pitch-black backgrounds should be a thing of the past. Like the Mini 9, the Instax Mini 11 offers almost all you need – for an unbeatable price.
FAQs
VIDEO: Gordon Laing on the new one and the differences to the 9
