Fujifilm has never shied away from reinventing instant photography, and its latest release might be its boldest yet. The new Instax Mini Evo Cinema is a hybrid instant camera that doesn’t just print photos, as it turns recorded clips into Instax prints embedded with QR codes, allowing users to “hand over a video” in physical form.

Building on the success of the original Evo hybrid camera, the Mini Evo Cinema expands the creative playground dramatically. Alongside standard stills, it captures 15-second video clips that can be instantly reviewed, edited via the dedicated app and printed with a single selected frame featuring a QR code. Scan the code and the video replays on a phone, complete with an Instax frame for added charm.

The Eras Dial is arguably the most prominent new feature. This physical control applies aesthetic profiles inspired by different decades of moving-image history. Ten eras are represented, from the grainy warmth of 1940s colour film to 1960s 8mm home movies and the 2020s smartphone-app look. Each effect offers 10 intensity levels, creating 100 possible visual treatments. Audio is processed to match, and some modes even introduce nostalgic mechanical sounds to heighten the immersive, time-travel feel.

The design itself pays homage to Fujifilm’s 1965 Fujica Single-8 cine camera. A vertical grip, analogue-style controls, a tactile print lever and optional viewfinder attachment give the Evo Cinema a satisfyingly mechanical character. Yet beneath the retro cues lies modern convenience: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone printing, video-editing tools and poster-style print templates. Launching in Japan on 30 January, it is a clever blend of vintage charm and contemporary creativity.