Fujifilm releases a new retro camera that prints and takes photos by decades

There’s never a dull moment when a camera company releases a Japanese-only retro camera. Niche Japanese cameras are always interesting to look at, but this one tops the cake with a retro design and plenty of modern additions that couldn’t even be dreamed of when its inspiration was state-of-the-art.

Fujifilm isn’t new to the retro-style modern cameras, with its T-3 and T-30 cameras being popular choices for those looking to fix that film look with digital conveniences. However, it also has a booming professional system of cameras and lenses, as well as its Instax brand of instant photo printers and cameras.

So why not combine both of them? That’s exactly what Fujifilm did on January 7 when it announced its Instax Mini Evo Cinema camera: a retro-styled vertical-gripped camera that can instantly print photos, share photos or videos to social media, and let you capture photos throughout the decades with its “Eras Dial.”

The Mini Evo camera is designed to remind people of the 8 mm “Single-8” film video camera of the 1960s. While not film and not just a video camera, the Mini Evo has the same vertical grip-like design with silver and black trimmings to lock in that retro feel.

The camera shoots both video and photos with the press of the button just below the lens; a single press gives you a photo, while pressing and holding captures video. Photos can be instantly printed with the built-in Instax printer out the top, giving a 1970s/1980s vibe to the 1960s look.

What is a camera these days without a companion app? Well, of course, the Mini Evo has one, allowing you to make quick edits before sharing with the world or taking out stills or uploading smartphone photos for printing.

A final trip of the Mini Evo camera is what Fujifilm is calling its “Eras Dial.” Positioned on the side of the camera, this dial allows the user to quickly swap out presets from decades between 1930 and 2020. What does a 2020 filter look like? Your guess is as good as mine.

The feature does have its perks, like an 8-mm film style for 1960 and CRT for 1970.

For now, at least for the foreseeable future, the Mini Evo Cinema camera is only coming to Japan on January 30. No price or other release details have been shared.

Would you buy this camera?