Fujifilm just announced a unique camera in their Instax lineup. The new Instax Pal is no bigger than an AirPods Pro case, but can capture photos that you can print later with Fujifilm’s Link series printers such as the Mini Link 2, Square Link, or Link Wide.
As small as an AirPod Pro charging case
The whole camera can fit in your palm – it is basically a lens, sensor and battery on a keychain. Controls are equally simple – you get a power button, a shutter button on the back, a mode switch on the bottom and …that’s it. You do get a USB-C port for data transfer and charging the internal battery, but you don’t even get a screen to show the status of the camera.
Status checking is done with the Instax Pal app, which is available for both iOS and Android, which is expected to go live sometime in October. You can transfer photos wirelessly from the Instax Pal to the app for social media or other uses, as well as check the full status of the camera – battery life, storage and even set cute audio for the shutter sound – there is a built-in speaker on the Pal to playback the shutter sound.
While the camera looks simple, Fujifilm actually included some serious photography modes:
- Remote Shooting (with the Instax Pal app) – Remotely snap photos using a smartphone, as well as using the smartphone as a viewfinder.
- Interval shooting – shoot 3, 6, 11 or 21 continuous images at 3-second intervals that can be edited in the app.
- Instax Animation – create animation with transferred photos for social media sharing.
- Filters – the photos taken with the Instax Pal can be applied with a section of 18 filters, text overlays or even stickers before being sent to be printed or used on social media.
Other features include a Multi-Use Detachable Ring that can be used as a simple viewfinder, a finger strap or as a camera stand, built-in flash and microSD support to expand the internal memory – which can store up to 50 images.
Instax Pal Price and Availability
Fujifilm will be selling the Instax Pal on its own or as part of a bundle with the Instax MINI LINK 2 Smartphone Printer. There will be 5 colours to choose from – Pistachio Green, Powder Pink, Lavender Blue, Gem Black and Milky White. The company is also launching a new Instax film, the Instax MINI Soft Lavender which will be available in a 10-exposure pack.
The Instax Pal camera bundle will have a sticker price of USD 199.95 (about RM 937) and is schedule to be available from October onward. Fujifilm Malaysia confirmed that they will be bringing in the Instax Pal, but did not share the exact date of availability and estimated price in Malaysia.
