Gadget review: Fujifilm Instax Mini 70

Despite many digital innovations in photography, nothing beats the charm of actually holding a physical picture. So, we took the Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 for a test drive at a wedding. The thing with Indian weddings is that they have at least two candid photographers stationed near the mandap to capture all the action. But when we handed the bride a print taken using the instant camera, the effect was mesmerising. We're sure that the snap we gave her would be pinned safely to a softboard in her new home. That's the power of this little device.

We also tested the Instax Share smartphone printer, which works with the help of a WiFi connection and produces flawless prints once connected to the phone.

The good: The Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 is a cute and compact device. It comes in three colours — white, yellow and blue. It can easily fit into a handbag and isn't cumbersome to hold. The camera comes with a selfie mode and a self-timer, both of which gave us satisfactory results. The front mirror, that frames selfies, is a plus. The operations are minimal, since the device is almost fully automatic.

The bad: It is difficult to make out details in the mini print, which is the size of a credit card. The macro mode is often a hit or miss owing to the parallax effect. The CR2 batteries (a set comes with the device) that were used in old film cameras are, not surprisingly, fairly uncommon to find in the market.

Verdict: The Mini 70 may not be ideal for serial shooters, since it is an expensive proposition.

Quick specs

What: Fujifilm Instax Mini 70

At a glance: 3.9 x 4.5 x 2.1inches, 281g (weight)

USP: Lightweight and easy to use

Best buy: ₹15,180 on ebay.in