The instax WIDE Evo Hybrid Camera has been the latest camera I have been testing over the last few weeks and as always with instax it is a step back in time but current and if you are a fan of all things nostalgia you know the drill with these cameras we have been reviewing for some years now.
This camera again is bug but so what, might not be ideal to put in your bag but doable for some if you are one to take photos when out with your friends and family it is a talking point when taken out so and people do not realise instant photos can still be done like rather than take one on your phone have this camera at hand and get your photo there and then.
There is lots going on with the WIDE Evo hybrid when it comes to features and several buttons to mess around with for me an overkill I am a point and shoot but having played around with this I can see why these features are there and again I am not one to edit photos once taken either but there is features galore all listed below and the editing options at hand.
With the big screen you see more and you also have wide angle shooting with this camera it is pretty cool all the options here and the array of buttons to play around with is a photographers dream. You have your focus lens, You have ten lens effects and ten film effects to begin with the dial on both sides you can scroll through them all we demo all this in the video review and also some of this in the unboxing video
There is a button up top for film style too with cool effects and then you have the lens to chose effects that suit you then you move down to the navi key and other buttons under the LCD display for more options and of course in image editing options, there is so much here to do for the real photography enthusiast. You have a dedicated shutter key this time it is not a button but a lever I would call it and below is the wide angle switch and you can notice the difference here unlike you can even on some phones today. You get your power on/off dial too this time rather than a button.
The stand out feature probably is the print crank which takes you back to days of old here and again people were somewhat looking at me funny when I took it out one night explaining to them how this works and what these cameras do.
You can add a micro SD card if you want and again print images from this and connect to the app if you wish and of course connect to their printers which is also cool. as for the image quality it is decent you can load them on to your laptop if you like and scroll through them there or the screen on the camera itself you have the best of both worlds here you can also connect to your phone and share.
instax WIDE Evo app
Features
Integrated Wide Angle Option
WIDE Evo features the widest lens on any instax™ instant camera, at 16mm. Users can choose to take images at the standard width, or opt for Wide-angle Mode, which maximizes the camera’s lens capabilities to get all of the action into the photo.
10 Lens Effects x 10 Film Effect Options
Like the instax mini Evo™ instant camera, WIDE Evo features 10 lens effects and 10 film effect options, offering 100 different combinations for users to express themselves. WIDE Evo adds Degree Control, which allows the user to determine the degree to which each lens effect is applied to their image.
Enhance The Look Of The Image
WIDE Evo offers 6 film styles to customize images even further, with options including normal, a cinematic look with black bars across the top and bottom of the image, a classic film strip look, a traditional date/time stamp format, a contact sheet look, or a vintage collodion process effect.
Selfies, Storage, and More
WIDE Evo also features a 3.5-inch LCD Monitor on the back of the camera to allow users to view added effects and edits and is supported by a built-in Lithium-ion battery which enables the camera to print up to 100 images per charge, depending on the specific use case. A Micro SD card slot (Micro SD Card sold separately) ensures there’s plenty of room to store additional images for later enjoyment (approximately 45 images can be stored in the camera’s internal memory), while the Selfie Mirror helps users nail selfies every time.
Film Styles
Exercise your creative control with five film styles (plus standard output). From cinematic to date stamp to film strip, each one delivers a unique analog-like effect burnt into the image to set your pictures apart.
Normal / Cinematic / Collodion Process / Contact Sheet / Date Stamp / Film Strip
Degree Control Dial
Satisfy your vision with the Degree Control Dial. Simply twist the lens to play with your chosen lens effects, creating subtle or dramatic images (and everything in between).
Wide-angle Lens
The instax WIDE Evo™ expands your view to capture more of the action, as it happens. And by using a single compact lens, whether Wide-angle mode is switched on or off, image quality is truly impressive.
Design Focused
Analog aesthetics
Finished in a modern, yet sophisticated design, and sporting a premium charcoal grey body with jet-black colour accents, this hybrid camera looks as good as it shoots.
Print Crank
Reminiscent of an analog experience, rotate the print crank located on the side of the camera to begin the printing of your latest creations.
Shutter Lever
Press the shutter lever down and feel the satisfying, responsive ‘click’ of the shutter as each photo is taken. Want to ‘lock’ the focus? Half press the lever.
Lens Cap
A premium lens needs a premium lens cap to protect it when not in use. Which is why the instax WIDE Evo™ comes with a handy detachable lens cap.
Wide-angle Switch
Effortlessly switch from wide-angle scenes to intimate moments using the wide-angle switch (handily positioned on the front, so you don’t have to take your eye off the shot).
Easy scrolling
On the left you have the Lens Effect Dial, on the right the Film Effect Dial. Both satisfyingly manual. Both easy to scroll through. Each perfect for turning the ordinary into extraordinary.
Degree Control Dial
Circling the lens you’ll find the Degree Control Dial, a ‘disc’ that your fingers can glide round, helping you change the degree of your shot to discover your exact vision.
Selfie Mirror
Some only see what’s in front of them. Not you. The selfie mirror, positioned on the front of this hybrid camera, lets you capture what’s usually behind the camera… you!
USB-C Charging
Unleash the full potential of the instax WIDE Evo™ by keeping it fully charged. With a USB-Type C port, plugging in for power couldn’t be easier.
LCD Screen
The high-resolution LCD screen on the rear gives you complete accuracy – what you see is what you print – helping you turn your vision into a physical, WIDE-format photo.
Tripod Mount
Fully equipped with a threaded hole, the instax WIDE Evo™ is tripod-ready. Useful for remote shooting, night-time shots or composites that require that extra steady ‘hand’.
Printed images, shared
For safe keeping
Insert a microSD card (sold separately) into the microSD card slot to back up your images – perfect for ultimate peace of mind, and ideal for those who want to ‘carry’ even more photographs.
Prints. From your camera roll
Not all photos are lucky enough to be shot on the instax WIDE Evo™. Which is why this hybrid instant camera also accepts shots from your smartphone, before dutifully printing them.
Inspiration at your fingertips
Explore the Discover Feed tab in-app for a daily boost of inspiration. A place where you can see and download the settings from other users’ images, ready to be used when the shot calls for it.
Social zone
Instantly share your WIDE format images via your smartphone. Pair the instax WIDE Evo™ with your smartphone, save your instax™ photos as digitally framed shots, then post your favourites to your social in a variety of creative templates.
Conclusion
Over this is a really cool camera with lots of features on board and takes decent photos, with the ability to share and print said photos via your phone or compatible printer makes it even more enjoyable to use and is a great talking point when taken out in a crowd.