Fujifilm’s instax mini Evo Cinema ($378.99 on Amazon), a $410 hybrid instant camera capable of recording short video clips and producing physical prints, has been selected as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. The camera was recognized in the Consumer Electronics category, joining 300 innovations selected by the publication this year. Interestingly, the award goes to a camera with modest video specifications but a distinctive approach to combining digital recording with the nostalgic experience of instant photography. The camera is currently available on Amazon for $378.99, an 8% discount from its $409.95 list price.

A retro camera that shoots video

Introduced in January 2026, the instax mini Evo Cinema combines three functions in one device: a digital still camera, a short-form video camera, and an instax mini printer. Its design draws inspiration from traditional 8mm movie cameras, featuring a vertical body, physical controls, and a dedicated recording mechanism. The camera’s most distinctive feature is its Gen Dial, which allows users to select visual styles inspired by ten different decades, ranging from the 1930s to the 2020s. Each decade has ten adjustable levels, providing 100 combinations of color, contrast, grain, and other visual characteristics. Some effects also incorporate period-inspired sound treatments. Unlike conventional digital cameras, the mini Evo Cinema places considerable emphasis on the experience of recording rather than technical image quality.

A 1/5-inch sensor and 15-second video clips

From a technical perspective, the mini Evo Cinema is a relatively basic video camera. It uses a 1/5-inch CMOS sensor with approximately 5 megapixels and records video at 24 fps using the H.264 codec. Standard video resolution is limited to 600 × 800 pixels, while a higher-quality 1080 × 1440 recording mode is available exclusively with the 2020-era effect and requires a microSD card. Video clips are limited to approximately 15 seconds, with bitrates of 2.5 Mbps in standard mode and 9 Mbps in high-quality mode. The camera also features a 28mm-equivalent F2.0 lens, face-detection autofocus, and a 1.54-inch rear LCD. These specifications are not intended to compete with modern mirrorless cameras or contemporary smartphones. Instead, Fujifilm has developed a camera built around short recordings, creative effects, and physical interaction.

Printing videos on Instax film

Perhaps the camera’s most unusual feature is its ability to connect video recordings with physical instant prints. Users can print an Instax Mini photograph containing a QR code linked to a recorded video. Scanning the code with a smartphone opens the corresponding clip, effectively turning the photograph into a physical gateway to digital video. The accompanying smartphone application also allows users to combine and edit clips into videos of up to 30 seconds. There is, however, an important limitation: Fujifilm stores the uploaded video data associated with QR-code prints for two years. The physical print remains, but playback through the hosted link is not guaranteed beyond that period.

Fujifilm receives recognition for a second consecutive year

The mini Evo Cinema’s selection marks Fujifilm’s second consecutive appearance on TIME’s Best Inventions list. In 2025, the company’s instax WIDE Evo ($365.59 on Amazon) hybrid instant camera received similar recognition. Fujifilm was also included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2026, with the publication highlighting the company’s success in maintaining interest in physical photography products in an increasingly digital market. TIME evaluates inventions based on originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact. The recognition does not necessarily reflect technical superiority, but rather the distinctiveness of the product and the experience it offers.

Available on Amazon for $378.99

The Instax Mini Evo Cinema carries a suggested retail price of $409.95 in the United States. However, at the time of writing, Amazon is offering the camera for $378.99, an 8% discount from its list price. The Amazon listing currently shows a customer rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 23 reviews. A bundle containing the camera and additional film is also listed for $470. The camera uses Fujifilm’s instax mini instant film, which is sold separately with the standard camera package.