In bright conditions, the shots that it can produce are fine for the small size of an Instax print, though, even taking into account the increased 600dpi resolution that the Instax Mini Evo prints at. In darker conditions, the camera struggles to focus (even with the AF assist light switched on), and using the flash is a definite requirement, too.

Instax printing is never about superb image quality, but rather the fun and quirky aspect of printing out your shots on instant film. Some Instax cameras are analogue, but one of the big benefits of using the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo’s digital camera is that you can preview your shots before printing them - so you don’t accidentally print out a dud and waste precious film.The Instax LiPlay from 2019 offered a range of different effects which could be utilised for those who liked to get a bit creative, but the new Mini Evo takes things to another level by providing 100 different combinations from 10 integrated lens modes and 10 filter options.

There’s also a small mirror which you can use to help you accurately line up selfies, an AF assist lamp and the flash unit, which can be switched on or off from the menu. Countering that somewhat is the huge amount of lens and filter effects on offer - 100 in total - which are both easy to apply via the lens ring and filter dial, and produce genuinely pleasing results. Just be aware that they're baked into the JPEG files that the camera records, with no option to also store an unfiltered original or to change the filters after the picture has been taken. Inside it's a very modern device, though, pairing a 5 megapixel digital camera with an inbuilt Instax Mini printer and sporting two shutter release buttons, 3-inch LCD screen, accessory shoe, selfie mirror, flash, a charging port and a micro SD slot. You can choose to ignore this and shoot in landscape orientation if you prefer, but the text on the camera will be the “correct” way up only when holding the Mini Evo in the portrait orientation.The camera is primarily designed to be used in portrait-format orientation, so that when the Instax prints are revealed, the larger part of the frame will be at the bottom. Using the camera is pretty much entirely automatic thanks to the Program AE mode. The Instax Mini Evo automatically optimizes the shutter speed (1/4 second to 1/8000 second), flash output, ISO speed (100 to 1600) and other key settings according to the current shooting conditions. The main menu features a number of different settings which you can change, including face detection, switching the AF illuminator on or off (you might wish to switch it off if you’re trying to shoot somewhere discreetly), print settings, bluetooth settings, date and time and so on.

One important limitation to be aware of is that the Mini Evo only saves images that you've actually printed into the app, not every photo that you've taken - so if you've filled up the built-in memory with 45 images, but only printed 10 of them, only those 10 will be saved in the app. As for the prints themselves, they’re nicely saturated and give a good impression of detail thanks to their small size. They’re fun enough for souvenirs and keepsakes, particularly if you use the camera at a special event such as a party, special trip or a wedding and so on. Once an image has been printed out, you’ll need to allow some time for the Instax film to develop - in other words, don’t be alarmed when it pops out completely white. After a few minutes, the colours should have fully rendered. It's best to think of the Mini Evo's camera as a great way to see your images before you print - at least you won’t waste that expensive film with under/over exposed photos, blurred shots or those that have been framed poorly - with the added benefit of being able to share them on social media (although not that easily as it turns out). Alternatively, for kids or anybody without a smartphone or dedicated camera, it might also be appealing.

When you’re ready to print one of your shots, pull the delightfully retro Print lever on top of the camera - sure, the same thing could have been achieved with a simple button, but where's the fun in that?! The Instax Mini Evo is the latest and best hybrid instant camera that Fujifilm have ever released, successfully combining old and new, vintage and modern to create an easy-to-use, well designed and above all fun all-in-one Instax camera and printer. Also at the bottom of the Fuji Instax Mini Evo, alongside the card slot, is a micro USB port, which you can use to charge up the camera. The flash on the front of the camera will light up to let you know it’s charging, switching off when it’s complete. There's also a factory-reset button in the same compartment.. Designed to be as user-friendly as possible, learning how to use the Instax Mini Evo isn't too complicated. It's surrounded by a circular lens dial which is used to cycle through the 10 different lens effects - Normal, Vignette, Soft Focus, Blur, Fisheye, Colour Shift, Light Leak, Mirror, Double Exposure, and Half-frame.