instax mini instant film, Black border, 10 shot pack, suitable for instax mini cameras and printers

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Its hybrid design might not win over analogue die-hards but its feature set makes it one of the most versatile instant cameras on the market today. In operation, it’s about as user-friendly as a Polaroid gets, ideally suited to point-and-shoot photography. You get dedicated controls for the flash and self-timer, the ability to dial in exposure compensation, and it will even capture creative double exposures. If you’re looking for something with a little more style, Fujifilm has recently released the Instax Mini 40. This is essentially the same camera as the Mini 12 but with a vintage-inspired retro redesign. The Instax Mini 40 is everything we liked about the Instax Mini 11, only wrapped up in a more eye-catching and mature design. If the Mini 11's toy-like looks were enough to put you off, then this should open the door to instant photography for you. Minimal buttons and no complex shooting modes mean this is an ideal starter camera for anyone unfamiliar with instant film, and the auto exposure system really takes out a lot of the guesswork associated with the medium. It may be mechanically identical to the Mini 11, but the Mini 40's faux leather finish and silver trim details give it a more mature appearance.

The user-selectable modes allow you to preset the focus for macro, standard or landscape shots, and the viewfinder automatically corrects for parallax while shooting macro photos. There’s also a “kid mode” that forces the camera to shoot at 1/400 for faster-moving action and “party mode” where flash is paired with longer shutter speeds for better-balanced low-light shots. The only hybrid instant camera in our roundup, the Instax Mini Evo blends old-school design with modern tech. Combining a digital sensor with an Instax Mini printer, allows you to experience all the fun of instant prints without any of the unpredictability. Every instant camera in our roundup has been thoroughly reviewed by one of our in-house experts. During our testing, we assess the camera’s build quality, functionality, user-friendliness and, importantly, the quality of the camera’s instant photo prints.The Mini 12 comes in at 4.8 by 4.1 by 2.6 inches (HWD) and weighs about 10.3 ounces. We received it in Pastel Blue, but you can also get it in a proverbial rainbow of colors: Blossom Pink, Clay White, Lilac Purple, and Mint Green. The box includes a matching nylon wrist strap, along with two AA batteries that provide power. Paired with the Mini Evo smartphone app, your prints can be shared to social media and you can even use the Evo to print pictures taken on your smartphone.

If you're looking for something with a more retro feel then it's hard to beat the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 and its traditional leather-style binding. As you can see in the price comparison chart below, it's also the most expensive of the Instax Mini cameras in Fujifilm's range. You're not just paying for the old-school vibe though. Bulb modes ensure you won't get pictures that are too blurry or dark. On the other side of the scale, this is the first Instax Mini camera that allows you to turn off the flash, meaning you won't get any images with way too much white light. A double-exposure mode allows you to put two images on one piece of film too. If you’re photographically ambitious, the Mini 12 doesn’t offer a whole lot of room for creativity, but for those just setting out or those looking for a camera free of complications, it’s a great option and very tough to top for the money. For selfies you can engage an optical close-up mode by extending the lens barrel; this reduces the minimum focal distance down to just 0.3m, and there’s even a handy mirror next to the lens for framing. An always-on flash ensures your subject is always brightly lit in all lighting conditions, though it can be a touch overpowering in certain situations. If you've used an Instax camera before, the Mini 40's blend of dark shadows and pale bright hues will feel very familiar. They aren't quite as dreamlike as rival systems from Lomography, capturing more precise details and without any kind of light leakage.

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Other cameras available use Zink thermal paper instead. This ink-free printing process delivered so-so picture quality when we tried it in the past, but we plan to look at some recent models soon to see if things have gotten better. Using an LCD rather than a physical viewfinder, the Evo lets you preview your exact shot, tweak your exposure compensation and even add lens and and film filters.

The images are saved to a microSD card and you can review them before printing – this avoids wasting pricey film on shots where people had their eyes closed. The same photo can be printed multiple times and you can even continue shooting if you run out of film. Each print is mechanically ejected via a slot in the top of the camera, and will take upwards of five minutes to fully develop. Instax has the edge over Polaroid's I-Type film in this respect, although that's to be expected given the smaller size. The Neo Classic has substantially more bells and whistles than more basic instant cameras, giving adventurous photographers far more creative freedom. You should also pay attention to battery life. Cameras with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of being rechargeable from the mains – often without the need to remove the battery – but might take a long time to recharge. Cameras that allow you to use AA batteries are a little more expensive to use (unless you bring rechargeables and a charger with you), but you can nearly always get hold of more AA batteries, which is a real advantage if you suddenly run dry. The camera is controlled via a collar around the lens: twist it once to extend the lens barrel and turn the camera on, twist it again to engage the camera’s close-focus. The close focus mode is ideal for arm’s length selfies and there’s even a handy mirror beside the lens to help you with framing.Today’s instant cameras range from cheap-and-cheerful chemical-only models to digital hybrid models that allow you to reprint images on demand from their built-in memory. The flash fires every time you press the shutter button, regardless of lighting conditions, as the auto exposure system is calibrated to expect it. It can vary shutter speed between 1/2 and 1/250, so should be able to cope with both brightly lit and dim scenes, particularly when shooting indoors. It does mean you don't have to carry attachments around with you, though, as was the case with older Instax cameras. The small mirror on the lens barrel helps line up your shots, although the convex shape does distort your reflection a fair bit.