Fujifilm Instax WIDE Evo review: A retro camera with a modern twist

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In the age of smartphone photography, where every moment can be snapped, filtered, and shared in seconds, the idea of carrying a chunky instant camera might seem unnecessary and even impractical. But the Fujifilm Instax WIDE Evo isn’t trying to compete with your phone. It’s offering something completely different, the joy of capturing a moment you can actually hold in your hands, which has also become a thing of past now.

At first glance, it feels like a relic from another time. The textured body, physical dials, and mechanical crank make it look like a prop from a vintage film. But then you notice the colour screen at the back, the menus, and the sheer number of effects and options hiding inside.

That mix sounds exciting, but it also raises a question- does adding all these digital tools make instant photography more enjoyable, or does it take away the carefree fun that makes it special in the first place?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. After spending time with the Instax WIDE Evo, here’s what came to light.

Design and Build

This is a camera you notice the moment you see it. It’s chunky, has a textured grip, and feels solid in the hands. It’s heavier than smaller instant cameras but not too heavy to carry around for a day. People often asked me about it when I used it in public, it has that old world charm that instantly strikes a chord.

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Fujifilm has added some nice touches. There’s a dial on one side to change lens effects, another for film effects, and a crank you turn to print your photos. The crank doesn’t actually power the printing, but it makes the process feel more special.

The buttons are all within reach, but if you’re new to it, you might press the wrong one more than once. The screen at the back is bright and big enough to see your shot before printing, which is great for avoiding wasted film.

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Loading the film is simple once you know how, but you need to be careful. If you open the film door before using up all 10 shots, the rest will be ruined. I made that mistake once.

Performance

The best thing about this camera is that you can see your photos before printing them. If someone blinks, or if the picture looks bad, you can just delete it. That alone saves you a lot of film.

You also get a lot of creative tools such as 10 lens effects, 10 film effects, and different film styles. You can mix them together and even adjust how strong they look. It’s fun once you understand how it all works. One of my favourite shots was at sunset, using a cinematic filter and warm tones, which gave it a nostalgic, dreamy feel.

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But here’s where it can get tricky. The settings and menus aren’t instantly clear. White balance, exposure compensation, and effect combinations are all in different places, and you’ll need to remember how to get to them. On my first few days, I often had to stop and think, or even check the manual, before finding what I needed. If you’re looking for a camera that’s simple enough for anyone to pick up and use without instructions, this isn’t it.

The wide-angle mode is great for group shots. Autofocus is quick, and the face detection does a decent job, even indoors.

Printing is a nice, deliberate process. You pick your shot, adjust it if needed, and then turn the crank to release the film. Watching it develop never gets old.

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The companion phone app is also useful. You can print photos directly from your phone, control the camera remotely for group shots, and save your printed photos digitally.

Battery Life & Practicalities

The battery lasts for about 100 prints, which for me meant charging it once every couple of weeks. Charging takes around 2–3 hours with the included USB-C cable.

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The camera can store about 45 photos in its internal memory, but you can also add a memory to save more. That way, you could take a lot of shots and decide later what to print.

It’s comfortable to carry with the included strap, but it’s too big for a pocket. You’ll need to keep it in a bag. And since it’s not waterproof, you have to be careful outdoors.

Should You Buy It?

The Fujifilm Instax WIDE Evo is not for everyone. If you want something light, cheap, and super easy to use, this is not the right choice. The controls and menus take time to learn, and it’s more complicated than most instant cameras.

But if you enjoy taking your time, experimenting with different looks, and having more control over your photos, this camera can be a lot of fun. It mixes the excitement of instant film with the safety net of a digital preview, so you only print the photos you truly like.

It’s an investment, both in the price of the camera, which is around Rs 35,000 and the film, but for me, it’s worth it for the creativity and nostalgia it offers. Just be prepared to spend some time learning how it works before you really start enjoying it.