Thanks to our phones, everyone technically always has a camera on hand nowadays, carried around in their pocket for those quick snaps and near-instant sharing on social media. But for every perfectly filtered photo that finds its way onto Instagram, there are quite a few more that languish in your gallery. And let’s be honest here, how often do you scroll all the way back in your digital archives just for a trip down memory lane? Not as often as your parents or grandparents break out that old photo album, that’s for sure.

That’s why there’s something so special about printed pics, rather than a transient and effectively disposable snap that will get deleted without a second thought when your phone runs out of space. Getting an immediate printout in front of you gives you a physical memento of that one special moment, place, or person, and captures a memory in a way that digital will never quite replace.

It’s something to bear in mind with spring and summer on the horizon – a time when social gatherings significantly ramp up as people embrace the warmer weather and end of year energy. Matric dances. Music festivals. Open-air markets. Post exam celebrations. Various holiday festivities with friends and family.

Many digital photos will be taken, but there’s a whole other, throwback way to capture these moments and memories: the instant camera. New in this retro photographic arena – launched only in March this year – is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12, a teeny step up from its predecessor, the 11. Find all tech specs here.

As with the vast majority of other cameras in the Instax Mini range, the 12 is a film-format product, entirely analogue (no electronic viewfinders here), powered by two AA batteries, and spits out credit card size prints. Set up your shot – bearing in mind there’s no zoom – push a button, and within 90 seconds you’ll have a full-colour, one-of-a-kind photo in your palm.

You’ll struggle to counter any claim that the Instax Mini 12 is a novelty in the year 2023, but what this instant camera promises, it delivers very well, while speaking to a specific audience. Available in multiple pastel shades (carrying names like mint green, pastel blue, blossom pink, lilac purple, and clay white) and featuring a round-edged, chonky bubble design, the 12 is talking to a younger demographic than, say, the sleek, black and silver Instax Mini 40, which pays tribute to the cameras of yesteryear.

The Instax Mini 12 is made for play, but it’s also serious about fulfilling its function. After all, even the greatest fun lovers don’t enjoy being taken for a ride.

Pros

For older users, the Instax Mini 12 will probably bring back memories from their film-wielding past. There’s no need to manually wind anything, but there’s still that satisfying whirr and vibration in your hands as the various mechanical components do their thing inside the camera’s body.

On that note, the Instax Mini 12 feels pretty solid. Instead of a springy plastic button (found on the 11 and 40) to activate the camera, it features an elegant “twist to turn on” functionality, where you rotate the lens ring. The same action is also how you activate Close-up mode. It’s a welcome evolution, as with earlier models you’re forced to manually tug out the lens to ready it for said close-ups, or selfies. And that previous manhandling requirement didn’t inspire much confidence in how long the camera will last.

Anyway, what’s most impressive about the Instax Mini 12 is its automatic exposure and flash. In tests, we captured moving pets with minimal blur, and successfully documented a candle-lit birthday dinner during load shedding. This without any vampiric red eye or paper-white skin. In fact, it seemed like the camera printed better, colour-rich pictures when shooting inside than out in bright sunshine.

Finally, if you’re now too much of a digital native to feel comfortable about producing unique physical media prone to damage or loss, there’s Fujifilm’s surprisingly impressive and easy to use INSTAX UP! App. With INSTAX UP!, you can scan your photos and create high-resolution digital copies (with reflections removed) to back up, edit and share on social media. It gives Instax camera owners the best of both worlds.

Cons

In terms of product negatives (no, not those negatives), the Instax Mini 12’s new Close-up mode didn’t wow us. Reserved for subjects 30 to 50cm away, including selfies – if you use the selfie mirror on front of the camera – Close-up is supposed to ensure clear, centered shots every time. It’s fine if you’re working in that distance window for single, or small groups of, subjects, but is less successful for macro photography. Trying to film a LEGO set-up, for example, the camera struggled with object focus.

Overall, whether in Close-up or Normal mode, you want to have a clear subject when using the camera; the Mini 12 is for people and objects, not scenes.

Our only other gripe is with the camera’s design. The button placement on front of the body makes sense for selfies, but takes some getting used to. In reaching for it from behind the camera, you have to be very careful that your fingers don’t slip over the flash. Said button is also extremely sensitive, which can lead to wasted photos, taken before you’re ready to click.

Summary

Is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 a must-have? Honestly, no, but as a nice to have, it’s hard to resist, especially after you’ve experienced it first-hand. Also in its favour is the fact that, in comparison to so much camera technology, it’s not jaw-clenchingly expensive.

You can jump onto the Instax Mini 12 train for around R1,400 – R1,500, typically in the form of a bundle, which includes at least one Instax Mini Film cartridge. For the record, you’re looking at spending R120 to R200 for each pack of Instax Mini Film, depending on the funky border style. Each pack gives you 10 instant photos to play with.

The Instax Mini 12 won us over with little resistance. After spending a few weeks with a review unit, we bought our own camera from the Fujifilm Instax Mini range – so we’re ready to bring something a little extra special to the next family Christmas gathering.