Fujifilm's Instax cameras have been a massive success, with tens of millions of units sold worldwide in recent years. Their popularity stems from a mix of instant gratification, nostalgia, and ease of use, making them a favourite among casual photographers, creatives, and even professionals looking for a fun way to capture moments.
Unlike digital photography, instax cameras deliver tangible prints within seconds—perfect for those who appreciate physical keepsakes. What’s more, this new instax WIDE EVO camera produces impressively large prints, even longer than the classic square Polaroid format.
Photo: Tim Levy
The WIDE EVO's retro-futuristic design & features
The latest offering from Fujifilm, the instax WIDE EVO, brings a retro-futuristic aesthetic to the 'hybrid' instant camera market.
While traditional instax models print every photo taken, the WIDE EVO allows users to store images digitally and selectively print their favourites. This not only helps reduce waste (sometimes we might take three photos / prints to 'get it right') and cost but also lets users make multiple prints of the same photo—so you never get left with that sad feeling of wanting to share a photo of a fun social moment – and then feel reluctant to hand it over. Now you can just print multiple copies for everyone!
A hybrid camera & wireless printer in one
A standout feature of the WIDE EVO is that it doubles as a wireless printer. While you could opt for the instax Link Wide printer, which retails for around $176, the WIDE EVO combines both camera and printer functionalities into a single device, albeit at a higher price point of $549–$599.
Users can print photos from their smartphone via the instax WIDE EVO app. Some camera apps can be unreliable when it comes to syncing, causing frustration. However, this app worked flawlessly every time with my iphone. Just open the app, select the photo and print within five seconds – bravo!
Surprisingly way more satisfying than just pressing a button.
Image: Fujifilm
Camera & lens specifications
The WIDE EVO is equipped with a 16mm f/2.4 lens and a 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. It captures images at 16 megapixels in Wide mode but resizes them to 5 megapixels if stored internally – which is why it's better to save to the Micro SD card slot as it saves the full 16MP. When digitally zoomed in (equivalent to 28mm), the image is recorded at 5 megapixels by cropping – irrespective of whether you record to Micro SD card or not.
While 5MP may seem low by modern digital standards, it’s more than sufficient for the Instax Wide printer resolution.
Storage & shooting options
- Internal storage holds approximately 40–45 images at 5MP resolution.
- Micro SD card support allows for shooting at 16MP resolution (16MP for 16mm wide lens only).
- ISO range: 100 – 1600, offering flexibility in different lighting conditions.
- Built-in flash for low-light shooting.
- Face detection, though not designed for high-speed shooting like a sports camera.
- Fujifilm app support, enabling remote triggering and easy file transfers.
- Tripod mount for stable shooting.
Design & handling
The WIDE EVO’s design takes inspiration from classic film cameras, featuring textured gunmetal grey and matte black finishes that add a premium feel. Despite being lightweight at 490g, the plastic construction still feels solid and durable. It also includes:
- Tactile dials and controls, including 2 side dials and top button to control a myriad of effects from light leaks to monochrome.
- Crank mechanism for print selection, featuring a satisfying animation of the print emerging.
- USB-C internal battery charging, taking approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge.
- Flat bottom design – so even without a tripod, you can stand the camera on a table or shelf to take self-portraits.
Some of the different filters available.
Printing & film options
The WIDE EVO supports Instax Wide film (108 × 86 mm film size / 99 × 62 mm picture area), which is significantly larger than the popular Instax Mini format. This makes it ideal for group shots, landscapes, and detail-rich compositions. The camera also offers brightness and contrast adjustments before printing, giving users more control over the final result.
Other instax film sizes available for comparison:
- Mini (54 × 86 mm / 2.1 × 3.4 in) – Resembling a credit card, the most common Instax format.
- Square (86 × 72 mm / 3.4 × 2.8 in) – A modern take on the classic Polaroid aesthetic.
Currently available instax WIDE film / border options:
- White
- Monochrome
- Black
- Brushed Metallics
Polaroid Square film. Print size 107 x 88mm. Image size 79 x 79mm.
INSTAX SQUARE instant film. Print size – 86 x 72mm. Image size – 62 x 62mm.
INSTAX MINI instant film. Print size – 54 x 85mm. Image size – 46 x 62mm.
Image: Tim Levy
Who is it for?
The WIDE EVO is perfect for those who love instant photography but want more control over which images they print. While purists may prefer the instax WIDE 400 (priced around $209), which traditionally prints every shot as it’s taken, the WIDE EVO’s hybrid approach offers a more flexible and cost-effective experience. Also, as you can precisely compose the image through the rear screen, the prints won't suffer from parallax error – which is the shift in the apparent position of your subject, due to the difference between what your lens sees and what your viewfinder shows.
This camera's design will likely appeal to photographers who preferred the sleek, metallic look of the Instax Mini Evo, rather than the softer, more playful colours like pink and yellow found on other Instax models.
Whether that preference is due to preconceived notions about colour or simply a design choice, the WIDE EVO’s retro styling and larger print format make it an attractive option for a broad audience – it looks like a serious photographic 'tool'.
However, if you're buying this with the expectation of the instant responsiveness of a dedicated sports stills camera, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, instead of a traditional shutter button, the WIDE EVO uses a shutter lever, which is easy enough to get used to. It's also worth noting that there is a noticeable shutter lag of up to one second, likely due to the budget processor within this sub-$600 camera. On the standard instax / non-hybrid cameras, that lag is not noticeable.
This camera's low price is also reflected in the budget 3.5-inch 'non-touch' rear screen which is only 460k-dot. But again – what do you expect for this price!
Photo: Tim Levy
Final thoughts
Fujifilm’s instax WIDE EVO is a stylish, practical, and fun hybrid camera that bridges the gap between digital and instant photography. With greater creative control, multiple printing options, and a sleek design, it appeals to both enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
As an object in itself, it always attracts attention – whether worn around the neck as a functional fashion accessory, or just sitting on your desk – this is a cool, interesting-looking product.
But ultimately, what sets the WIDE EVO apart is its larger print size. While smaller instax prints have their charm, the 108 × 86 mm film size (with a 99 × 62 mm picture area) delivers a real wow factor, making every shot feel more impactful and (would you believe) immersive.
When compared to the Polaroid classic square 79 × 79 mm picture area, instax WIDE film’s 99 × 62 mm picture area offers a wider aspect ratio, making it ideal for landscapes, group shots, and storytelling compositions while maintaining sharp detail and vibrant colours.
It’s surprising that Fujifilm hasn’t introduced its own 79 × 79 mm classic square format – especially since the SQ40 film size is similar, yet only 62 × 62 mm. This could be due to proprietary format restrictions or concerns about being seen as a copycat, or just wanting to keep the cameras to a more compact size.
The prints from this camera (and instax in general) seem to be consistently good, and with this camera, if you want a vintage or washed out look, you simply apply it in post using a filter. I've printed many images from my phone and they look stellar. I've even transferred images from my mirrorless camera, to my phone and made excellent prints that way.
Also, the cost of the film, while not super cheap, is a lot cheaper than Polaroid film. At time of writing, you can get a 40 pack of instax wide film for $57-$70 (approx $1.50 per print) , while a 40 pack of Polaroid is $129 – $139 (approx $3.25 per print)
So whether you're capturing special moments, printing and sharing memories, or embracing the nostalgic magic of instant photography, the WIDE EVO is pretty fun to use, and a standout addition to the instax lineup.
You can find out more about the WIDE EVO on the Fujifilm website.