While we like cool tech here, we love cute tech, too. And this new instax camera fits that description perfectly. The new instax Pal already sounds like a safe, likable device. And it looks like a little alien/monster (think Monsters, Inc.‘s Mike Wazowski). I want one, and, honestly, I’m not quite sure why.
instax Pal and portability
I mean, I guess, for one, it is very portable. Based on the photos, it’ll easily fit in the palm of your hand. And with it marketed to teenagers, the size makes sense. It also means you can take photos more discretely. Even as a content creator, I still feel a bit averse to whipping out a big camera in public. This fun little thing is much easier to take photos with.
But you can prop it up with the multi-use ring or even attach it to a tripod. So the instax Pal gives you that flexibility for shooting.
That multi-use ring allows you to clip this camera onto your bag. Or you can use it as a makeshift viewfinder since the instax Pal doesn’t have one.
All the fun
The instax Pal comes in fun colors since it is marketed to a younger demographic. You can get it in Pistachio Green, Powder Pink, Lavender Blue, Gem Black, and Milky White.
You can also create custom shutter sounds and add filters, text, and in-app stickers. The former is a unique feature of this camera, while the latter should be familiar to instax fans.
How it works
What instax did with the Pal was separate the camera from the printer. The camera can hold 50 photos internally, but, like other digital cameras, you can extend that with a microSD card.
It shoots 4.9-megapixel photos with its built-in wide-angle lens. You can’t tweak too many settings, but it comes with a flash, an exposure adjustment (+/- 2 EV), choose between Rich and Natural modes, and pick interval shooting (with support for 3, 6, 11, or 21 continuous images).
You can take photos using the physical button on the rear, or use your phone as a remote viewfinder. The latter can help you compose shots better if you’re not too confident about using the multi-use ring for this.
What about printing?
We associate instax cameras with their ability to print our photos instantly. This time, you will need one of instax’s printers to make this happen.
The instax Pal only lists compatibility with the Instax Mini Link 2, Instax Link Wide, and Instax Square Link printers for direct print via Bluetooth. But if you use the smartphone app, you can use any of the company’s other compatible printers/cameras to print out instax Mini prints.
You can also share the digital images with your, well, pals, through the Pal app.
In some markets, Fujifilm bundles the instax with an instax Mini Link 2 printer and a 10-pack instax Mini film for USD 199.95. This instax Pal bundle comes later this October. We’re not sure yet about its price if you’re getting the camera by itself.
instax Pal: Final thoughts
I’m still not sure if the instax Pal is a device I need. But I stand by my opening statement that I want it. The portability and cute design appeal to me. Tech doesn’t always have to be serious. And I like that this little camera reminds me of that.
I can’t say yet if it is worth it without testing it. But hopefully, we get our hands on one.
What do you think of the instax Pal? Let us know on our socials!