Quick Verdict
The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a great option for parties and capturing snaps with your friends. It's a versatile choice, offering you the ability to print images from your smartphone, review images in-camera before you print them, and add a variety of filters and frames. It's compact, stylish, and will suit any age group.
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The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a trendy looking hybrid instant camera that produces credit-card sized instant photos. You can snap images and view them on the 2.7-inch LCD monitor, there are shortcut buttons on the side to add your favourite filters and you can also print images previously taken on your smartphone via Bluetooth and an app. The Mini LiPlay is available for £129 in Elegant Black, Stone White and Blush Gold. Here, we put the black edition through its paces.
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Features
The Instax Mini LiPlay is made to be used in the portrait orientation - at first, it can be a little confusing to figure out how to properly hold the camera, but there's a ridge on the top right for your thumb, and the shutter button is ergonomically placed on the front for your index finger.
Also on the front, there's a flash, selfie mirror and sound recording button, signified by a microphone. You can assign a voice message to a photo via a QR code, which is printed on the image. Scanning the QR code on the image in the app will then play the recording.
On the rear, you'll find the film compartment, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and navigation controls, along with a back button, image gallery button and print button. The camera doesn't automatically print images when you take them - allowing you to view and edit them before making your choices to print.
On the left-hand side, there's a MicroSD slot, allowing you to increase the storage capacity of the camera (there's space for 45 images built-in, so it's a good idea to purchase a MicroSD card to use in the camera). You'll also find the power button, and 3 numbered buttons on this side, which can be assigned to your favourite filters and effects for easy access.
The Mini LiPlay is a great option for parties, allowing you to print from your smartphone and add a variety of effects in-camera as well as smap images as you go.
When you turn the camera on, you'll briefly be shown what the directional controls on the D-Pad allow you to access without going into the menu. Pressing the 'up' key lets you scroll through frames for your images, while pressing the down key lets you access the filters. Press 'menu/ok' to select the filter you're on or press the back arrow to return to shooting. Pressing the left arrow gives you access to self-timer settings (2 secs, 10 secs or off) and the right gives you flash settings (auto, forced or suppressed).
In the menu, you can access AF illuminator, exposure, and Bluetooth settings, as well as the usual date/time and language settings. If at any time you get 'stuck' in the menu cycle, you can press the shutter button to return to live view.
Key Features
- 5-megapixel sensor
- Prints credit-card-sized images
- Shoot in-camera, or print through Bluetooth on your smartphone through the free app
- Filters & effects built-in
- Shortcut buttons for your favourite filters
- 28mm focal length (35mm equiv.)
- Can record messages and assign them to photos via QR code
- Takes Instax Mini film
- Buy on Amazon UK / Amazon USA
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Handling & Performance
What's great about this camera is that it can easily be used without an app - so if you're at an event, you can snap away and print later on, or print there-and-then to give images to friends.
Navigating the menu can be a little confusing until you get used to the layout - but once you've cracked it, you're away. Pressing up or down to access filters and frames makes it quick and easy to customise your images, and the fact that you can review and edit your images before printing them means that the risks of printing out a badly framed image, or one in which someone is blinking, is eliminated.
The camera is fairly portable - it will fit in an average handbag - and looks classy and sleek. In snapping images, the camera is very responsive. If you want to add frames or effects before you print, you can do so by pressing the playback button, or if you want to skip straight to printing, press the print button which lets you scroll through your captures and then press 'ok' to print them.
Loading the film is easy and self-explanatory - you just need to unwrap the cartridge and line the yellow points up on the cartridge and the compartment, then close the door.
The Instax LiPlay App
For more functionality, including the ability to print images from your smartphone, you can download the free Instax LiPlay app on Android and iOS. This gives access to customising the numbered buttons on the side of the phone, the ability to remotely control the camera, and access to more filters and frames as well as printing images from your phone.
The app is simply laid out and easy to use - there's a step-by-step guide to everything within the app if you need more help.
Print quality
As always with Instax cameras and printers, image quality is consistent, with punchy colours and clear, crisp edges. Quality is still consistent in low light - although some lack of detail is to be expected. Skin tones are natural.
Value For Money
The Instax Mini LiPlay is available for £129 on Amazon, this is for the camera only. Film is available for £14.25, giving you 20 shots. This makes the camera on the expensive side, but the versatility to review your captures before they print is a plus, meaning less film is wasted on bad captures.
For perspective, Fujifilm also makes another hybrid camera - the Instax Square SQ20, which is available for £174.56. If you just want to print from your smartphone, you could consider the Instax Mini Link, which is available for £89. There's also a point and shoot instant camera, the Instax Mini 9, which is available for £64.99.
In terms of the competition, there's the Polaroid Snap Touch, offering hybrid abilities and a touch screen. This is available for £137 and prints ZINK images. There's also the Kodak Smile, which prints the same ZINK images and is available for £99.99, but has a much smaller screen.
You can find more point and shoot and instant printer options in our Best Instant Cameras roundup.
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Verdict
The Instax Mini LiPlay is a fun camera to use. There are plenty of built-in filters and frames, so it makes a great gift for younger kids that might not have smartphones yet and older kids and teens that will enjoy taking it to parties and photographing groups of friends. Of course, it's also great for us adults too! Instant prints are a great way to physicalize your smartphone images.
The beauty of a hybrid camera like this is that you can review your photos before you print - it doesn't take long and ensures you don't waste prints on bad images. There's also the versatility to print images from your smartphone and add soundbites to them via QR code in the app - this does take up space on your image but it could help you remember special moments more vividly. Overall we really like the camera and its abilities.
| The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a great option for anyone wanting a versatile instant camera that's easy to use and can also print your smartphone images. |
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