Instax Mini 12vs X-E4
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 12 (2023)
Starting from £80 new
Best for Beginners, parties & gifting
View Instax Mini 12
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Beginners, Parties & Gifting — Instax Mini 12 (2023): The perfect starter instant camera — effortless to use, great colours, and comes in beautiful pastel shades.
Compact Street & Travel Photography — X-E4 (2021): The X-E4 is for photographers who want the minimum camera that still delivers maximum image quality. If you love shooting from the rear screen and want the smallest possible X-mount body, this is your camera. If you need a viewfinder or IBIS, look at the X-S20 or X-T30 II.
Who should buy what
Instax Mini 12 (2023)
- Complete beginners wanting their first instant camera
- Anyone buying an instant camera as a gift
- Party hosts who want to hand out physical prints on the night
- Kids and teenagers who want a fun, colourful camera
X-E4 (2021)
- Street photographers who prioritise portability and discretion
- Travel photographers packing minimally
- Fujifilm fans who shoot primarily from the rear screen
- Anyone who wants the X-Trans sensor in the smallest possible body
Quick take: The instax mini 12 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Instax Mini 12 (2023) | X-E4 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £80 | £699 |
| Sensor | Instax Mini film (62 × 46mm image area) | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV |
| Resolution | — | 26.1MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus (0.3m–∞ standard; 0.3–0.5m in close-up mode) | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 2× AA alkaline batteries (~100 shots) | ~460 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~293g (with batteries, without film) | 364g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 107.6 × 121.7 × 67.3mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder (0.37×) | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots |
| Mount | Instax Mini film pack (10 shots per pack) | Fujifilm X-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Instax Mini 12 | X-E4 |
|---|---|---|
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
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