Instax Mini 99vs Lumix S1
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 99 (2024)
Starting from £160 new
Best for Creative instant photography & serious enthusiasts
View Instax Mini 99
Lumix
Lumix S1 (2019)
Starting from £1499 new
Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount
View Lumix S1
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Creative Instant Photography & Serious Enthusiasts — Instax Mini 99 (2024): The most serious analogue instant camera Fujifilm has ever made. Manual controls, colour effects, and USB-C charging elevate it far above the rest of the range.
Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount — Lumix S1 (2019): Built like a tank with one of the finest viewfinders ever made — the S1 is the choice for photographers who prioritise build quality and IBIS over AF speed.
Who should buy what
Instax Mini 99 (2024)
- Instant photographers who want real creative control over their prints
- Mini 12 or Mini Evo owners who want the most capable analogue Instax
- Photographers who treat instant film as a serious artistic medium
- Anyone who wants colour effects, vignette, and manual controls in one camera
Lumix S1 (2019)
- L-mount system photographers who want a rugged, weather-sealed full-frame body for demanding conditions
- Landscape and studio photographers who value exceptional IBIS and an outstanding EVF
- Video professionals who need V-Log and 4K/60p in a robust, weather-sealed body
- Leica SL users who want a more affordable second body on the same L-mount system
Quick take: The instax mini 99 is the most affordable; only the lumix s1 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Instax Mini 99 (2024) | Lumix S1 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £160 | £1,499 |
| Sensor | Instax Mini film (62 × 46mm image area) | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus with zone focus dial (0.3m / 0.5m / 1m / 2m / ∞) | DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 9fps continuous with AF/AE |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~100 shots) | ~380 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~440g (with battery, without film) | 898g body only |
| Dimensions | 131.7 × 104.9 × 66.8mm | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available |
| Screen | N/A | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | Instax Mini film pack (10 shots per pack) | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging only) | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Instax Mini 99 | Lumix S1 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Creative | — | |
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Street | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Instax Mini 99
Camera family history