Mar 09, 2026 20:14:00

Review of the retro video recording with the Instax mini Evo Cinema, a video-capable camera

The 'instax mini Evo Cinema' is a camera that can also shoot videos, and you can print out 'photos with QR codes that access the videos' to display or distribute. I was able to borrow this instax mini Evo Cinema, so I decided to check out what kind of videos it can shoot.

“Cheki” instax mini Evo Cinema™ | FUJIFILM

https://instax.jp/mini_evo_cinema/

·table of contents
◆1: What kind of camera is the instax mini Evo Cinema?
◆2: Shooting procedure
◆3: Video Instax printing procedure
◆4: Example

◆1: What kind of camera is the instax mini Evo Cinema?

The instax mini Evo Cinema is a device that looks like an 8mm film camera and can shoot videos while switching between effects that correspond to 10 different eras, from the 1930s to the 2020s. The appearance of the instax mini Evo Cinema is summarized in detail in the article below.

The appearance of the instax mini Evo Cinema, which can also shoot videos, looks like this - GIGAZINE

◆2: Shooting procedure
I went outside to take some photos with the instax mini Evo Cinema.

Before shooting, first turn the 'Zidial' to select an effect. The older the effect, the more it will make your video look like it was shot on low-quality film.

Then, you can shoot video by pulling the trigger on the front.

◆3: Video Instax printing procedure
To print the videos you've taken, you must first connect the camera to the instax mini Evo app. The app is available for both iOS and Android , so connect the two beforehand.

Next, select the video you want to print from the list of shooting data on your instax mini Evo Cinema.

Turn the print lever on the side of the main unit.

Select the scene from the video you want to print and also select the location of the QR code.

Turn the print lever again.

A printed instax film came out from the top of the main unit.

Wait a moment for the photo to appear.

A scene from the video and a QR code appeared.

After printing is complete, launch the app near the instax mini Evo Cinema and the printed video will automatically begin uploading. Once the upload is complete, the video is ready to play.

To play the video, first scan the QR code with your smartphone to open the video playback page.

On the video playback page, you can not only play the video but also download it. The video can only be played on the page for two years from the date of upload, so we recommend downloading it.

By the way, if you scan the QR code before the upload to the server is complete, you will see a blank page like the one below.

If you print using the instax mini Evo Cinema, you'll need to upload the video after printing is complete. It's also a pain to select the video on the device's small screen. For this reason, we recommend transferring the video to the app first and then printing from the app.

Once you have moved the video to the app, you can view and edit it from the app.

In addition to being able to select the scene to print on the Instax film, it is also possible to add an opening before the video starts playing.

When you print from the app, the video will be uploaded to the server at the same time as it is printed.

◆4: Example
I uploaded a video I shot with the Instax Mini Evo Cinema to YouTube. First, here's a video I shot with the dial set to '2020.'

Sample photos of the Instax mini Evo Cinema, which can also shoot videos [Zidial: 2020] - YouTube

I set the dial to '1960' and filmed a scene of a train departing. The overall image has a soft, retro feel, as if it was shot with an old film camera, and the audio also has a retro feel.

Sample of the Instax mini Evo Cinema, which can also shoot video [Dial: 1960] - YouTube

I set the dial to '1990' and took photos of large billboards like the Glico sign in Dotonbori from Ebisubashi Bridge. It felt like I had traveled back in time.

Sample of the Instax mini Evo Cinema, which can also shoot video [Zidial: 1990] - YouTube

The instax mini Evo Cinema works by starting video recording when you pull the trigger, pausing when you release the trigger, and continuing when you pull the trigger again. This means you can shoot multiple subjects in separate scenes and combine them into a single video.

Multi-scene example of the instax mini Evo Cinema, which can also shoot videos [Zidial: 2020] - YouTube

You can save the videos you shoot on physical Instax film, offering a different experience than viewing your smartphone's video library.