Instax Mini 41vs S1 II
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 41 (2025)
Starting from £90 new
Best for Style-conscious shooters & gifting
View Instax Mini 41
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Style-Conscious Shooters & Gifting — Instax Mini 41 (2025): A stylish step up from the Mini 12 — the retro design and refined feel make it one of the best-looking instant cameras at this price.
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
Instax Mini 41 (2025)
- Photographers who want their camera to look as good as the prints it makes
- Mini 12 owners who want a more premium, retro-styled upgrade
- Anyone buying a stylish instant camera as a gift
- Casual shooters who value aesthetics alongside simplicity
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Quick take: The instax mini 41 is the most affordable; only the s1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Instax Mini 41 (2025) | S1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £90 | £2,200 |
| Sensor | Instax Mini film (62 × 46mm image area) | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus (0.3m–∞) | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | 2× AA alkaline batteries (~100 shots) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~310g (with batteries, without film) | 680g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 112 × 116 × 68mm | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder with selfie mirror | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Instax Mini film pack (10 shots per pack) | Leica L-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Instax Mini 41 | S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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