I remember the photo albums full of friends, family and loved ones my parents had when I was growing up. There were hundreds of photos in those things and while many are now gathering dust in my mother’s loft, there’s something special about physical photos that modernday technology doesn’t offer.
Smartphone camera capabilities have come a long way in the last decade, but while they might take a better shot than the disposable cameras you occasionally find on wedding tables, they don’t give you the same feeling a real photo does.
And that’s where instant cameras come in. The Instax Mini 12 for instance, offers a playful design, incredibly simple operation and more importantly, an instant physical photo you can pop in your purse or diary to peek at when you need to bring a smile to your face.
I’ve got 55,000 photos on my iPhone (yes I know), but nothing quite compares to the novelty of being able to take a photo of my kids and it being instantly available to hold in my hands.
Instax Mini 12: At a glance
Instax Mini 12
Cons
Key specifications
| Battery life | 100 prints |
|---|---|
| Flash | Builtin flash (always fires) |
| Print development time | 90 seconds |
| Power | Two AA batteries |
| Dimensions | 6 x 11 x 12cm |
| Weight | 306g |
| Colours | Blossom Pink, Clay White, Lilac Purple, Mint Green, Pastel Blue |
Instax Mini 12: Design and setup
I’m not sure which part of the Instax Mini 12 brings me the most joy. The plastic lilac (other colours are available) boxy build is pretty special in its own right, sparking levels of nostalgia I didn’t expect. The flash takes me back to my teens, the physical shutter button gives you so much more satisfaction than a smartphone shutter button, and the oldschool film countdown on the back are all elements of this instant camera design I love.
The design is considered, though. Put the nostalgia element to one side, and there are some clever features that make for a fabulous design that just works. A small orange LED light appears when the Instax Mini 12 is on, which by the way, is lovely and simple to do. You twist the lens between Off, On and CloseUp, with small raised groves helping guide you for when you’re operating it while looking through the viewfinder.
The film on the back is easy to change with a pull back of the clip at the top, and the two AA batteries slot in the side easily too. I loved that the Instax Mini 12 stands up on a table without you having to hold it (it’s the simple things), and there’s a hand strap in the box in case you want an easier way of carrying it around.
Probably the best part about the design, however, is the small mirror to the left of the lens that gives you an idea of what that instant selfie is about to look like.
When it comes to setup, it’s so wonderfully simple, I think my sixyearold could manage. Technology these days is fantastic but sometimes it can take half an hour to set up a smartwatch and that is tedious.
The Instax Mini 12 is very much plugandplay. Take it out of the box, slip the battery cover off to pop the double AAs in, and unclip the film cover to drop in your film.
A yellow sticker indicates how to line up the film, but even without this, it would be hard to get wrong. That’s it. Twist the lens to turn it on, press the shutter button to take the test shot and you’re good to go.
Instax Mini 12: Performance
The Instax Mini 12 delivers some lovely shots, although there’s no way to turn the flash off and that can lead to overexposure in some shots. The detail and quality are good though, and the CloseUp mode is good for selfies, with the adjustable viewfinder pairing up with the lens so what you see in the mirror is what you get.
Processing time isn’t too long either. It takes about five seconds for the photo to come out of the top, and about 90 seconds for the picture to start developing. After another couple of minutes, the full detail of the shot will be fully visible and the picture is ready to do with as you please.
I was using standard white film, but you can get 18 different film options for the Instax Mini 12, all of which measure 86mm x 54mm (about the size of a credit card), with the picture itself measuring 62mm x 46mm. There are white, monochrome and black film options, as well as coloured options, retro photo slide and contact sheet options, and patterned options from rainbows to hearts.
Really, the only downside to this instant camera is that the film isn’t cheap so you’ll need to keep in mind that every time you snap, it’s costing you around £1.30. I’d say that it is worth it for special pictures though and there are even dedicated albums you can buy to store your Instax Mini prints, which is a nice touch.
For those that like digital, download the InstaxUp app on your smartphone and you can scan your photos to store digital copies.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Instax Mini 12
The Instax Mini 12 is a super instant camera and absolutely ideal for beginners. It has a playful design that comes in a range of colours and it’s lovely and simple to set up and use, making it a great option for a variety of ages.
The images are occasionally overexposed and the film isn’t cheap, but there are plenty of film options and the design is lovely with some clever features. There’s also something really special about having physical photos and this instant camera is perfect for the special moments that deserve to be more than just one of thousands of images on your smartphone.
Instax Mini 12: Also consider
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Britta O’Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She’s covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple’s Vision Pro headset, she’s gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10year stint as deputy editor of Pocketlint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she cofounded The Disconnekt and she’s EditoratLarge for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You’ll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
