Instax Mini LiPlay Review

This time I’m making my own personal review about this Instax Mini LiPlay instant hybrid camera that I’ve got as a gift for my birthday.

I am a person who loves taking photos and I really wanted to print it all. I was planning to buy a handy photo printer but ended up buying something that made me fall in love with one look. So before we get there here is the story of how did it happen.

I saw a post about the new Instax Mini Evo and while reading its specs and features I said I think this one is the one I need. I’ve tried searching for it in the Korean market but it seems not available in the country. I found it actually on Amazon Japan and it costs like 260,000 won including the international shipping fee. I am decided to buy it as a birthday gift but I changed my mind because I was thinking about the tax that I need to pay when it arrives.

While searching on Naver, I saw one post about this Instax Mini LiPlay. Looking at the photo, I think it is quite similar to the Mini Evo because they are both hybrid instant cameras. To make my research complete, I watched some of the video reviews online and checked its features. Searched for it in online shops but it is not available anymore. According to reviews, it is already sold out here in Korea.

I don’t want to feel heartbroken on my birthday so I didn’t give up and found one on ARTBOX. It actually cost 239,000 won (about 11,000 in peso) BUT WAIT, don’t think I am rich to afford this one. The money I used to buy the instant camera came from my husband. It’s a birthday gift and I think I deserved to get something I can use and keep.

For you to understand why I fell in love with the Instax Mini LiPlay, let’s check out some of the details about it.

Instax Mini LiPlay Specs

Instant Mini LiPlay was introduced in 2019 and is one of the smallest hybrid instant cameras from Fujifilm. It comes in four different colors – Stone White, Blush Gold (Pink), Elegant Black, and Dark Gray. It can be paired with a digital camera where you can directly print your photos from your phone to the Mini LiPlay. It’s also the first instant camera that introduces audio captures. It is supported with Fujifilm Instant Film Instax mini which can be purchased separately.

• 1/5-in. CMOS with primary color filter
• Built-in memory, micro SD / micro SDHC memory card
• ISO 100 to 1600 (auto)
• 28 mm focal lengths (35-mm film equivalent) with F2 aperture
• Shutter speed 1/4 sec. to 1/8000 sec. (auto)
• 10 cm to ∞ focus range
• Self timer approx. 10 sec. / Approx. 2 sec.

Body and Appearance

It’s a compact body that is small, handy, and easy to bring anywhere you go although it’s not pocket-friendly. You still need to carry it with a small camera bag or case to keep in your bag. I am also not familiar with the other Instax Mini cameras but I like the body and appearance of LiPlay.

At the front of the camera, there’s the shutter button, flash/Self-timer lamp, sound button, selfie mirror, and of course the lens. The backside has the film door land lock, playback, back, and print button, LCD monitor, MENU/OK button, and cross key. The sides also have shortcut buttons 1, 2, and 3, micro SD slot, reset and power button, microphone, and speaker.

Also, it has a USB port, strap hook, and film ejection slot where the printed photo comes out.

Handling

It is my first time using an instant camera so I am not used to it. I don’t have any problem when taking a regular photos except when taking selfies. I have accidentally touched the shutter button many times but I am thankful that this instant camera is hybrid where it doesn’t print the photos right away.

Performace and Quality

The Instax Mini LiPlay has a 10 cm to ∞ focus range and autofocus. Half pressing down the shutter button will focus on the middle of the targeted photo and will show a green square on the screen. To assist low light performance, the instant camera comes in a built-in flash and -2.0 EV to +2.0 EV (in increments of 1/3 EV) exposure compensation.

I’ve printed out some photos that I took using the instant camera and from direct print. I can say that the printed images are good although it is my first time to have this so this is only based on what I see.

Other Features

Since the Instax Mini LiPlay is launched for fun and play there are also additional features that really suited my taste. It has an app that can be installed on a digital phone and can do remote shooting, transfer images from the instant camera to the phone, and put some sounds that can be scanned by QR code.

Also, this hybrid camera can save you a lot of films since it’s a select and print instant camera. It also has 10 pre-installed frames, 30 frames on the APP, and 6 filters to make each photo creative and fun. Printing speed is 12 seconds and can print up to 100 images on a single charge.

The app also has a direct print option where you can print your photos from phone to camera. I printed out some from my iPhone 11 pro and the quality is not bad. There’s also an option to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the image. The app direct print option also has 3 filters from monochrome, sepia, and auto.

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Review | Thoughts

I am not a good reviewer when it comes to digital products but for me this one is perfect. It really suits my need and taste. It has a camera and comes with a printer. Although I wanted to get the Stone White but it is not available so I ended up buying the Elegant Black and the color is not that bad. It’s very simple and classic. Aside from the design, the quality and performance are good. It passed my expectations. For the additional features, it’s awesome. I can say that it’s worth it to buy.

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Xoxo, Hyejin 

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