In late May, Fujifilm teased the Instax Mini LiPlay, another analog-digital hybrid camera with LCD screen. It’s now officially announced, and other than bringing together analog and digital, it also adds audio to the experience.
Just like the previously released Instax Square SQ10 and SQ20, the Mini LiPlay shoots digitally, but lets you print photos on Instax Mini film. This allows you to keep the digital versions of your photos and print them as many times you want. It also features Bluetooth connectivity which lets you control the camera over your smartphone. This means you can print photos from your phone, or apply filters and frames to your shots when printing.
But the most interesting feature of the Mini LiPlay is a dedicated sound recording button. When you record audio, you can “attach” it to your prints using a QR code. It’s printed along with your instant photo and it can be scanned to hear the sounds while viewing the image. In my opinion, it’s a pretty cool concept. I’ve seen exhibitions which combined visual elements with QR codes for audio; this concept creates a unique (and very fun) experience. I doubt that anyone will exhibit Instax Mini film prints, considering how tiny they are, but who knows. Among other features, the Instax Mini LiPlay has a fixed 28mm f/2 lens (35mm equivalent). It features a 2.7″ LCD Monitor, and integrated flash and a selfie mirror. You can add filters and frames to your shots via a dedicated app. Here are the rest of the specs: The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay will be available for preorders starting 14 June. It comes in three versions: Blush Gold, Elegant Black and Stone White, and it costs $160.
