The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41, which came out in April 2025, is a stylish, entry-level instant camera that builds on the success of the Instax Mini 40 and has a more grown-up and polished look. The Fujifilm Instax Mini film used to make prints that are the size of a credit card (2.4 x 1.8 inches) and have a glossy finish and bright colors. It costs between $99 and $129.95 (or £94.99/AU$179). The camera is made for people who like to take pictures but want them to be easy to use, portable, and give them what they want right away. It’s great for parties, travel, or everyday pictures.
Make and Design
The Mini 41 has a retro-modern look that combines old-fashioned charm with new elements based on Fujifilm’s popular X100VI. It has a sleek black and dark silver body with orange accents and a textured, diamond-knurled grip that makes it easier to hold. The camera is made of plastic, but it feels solid enough for the price. If you don’t take care of it, though, it might get scratches and other signs of wear. It measures 4.8 x 4.0 x 2.4 inches and weighs 15.1 ounces with batteries and film. It’s small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, but not quite small enough to fit in a pants pocket. The camera takes two AA batteries, which can last for about 100 shots. This is more convenient than rechargeable batteries.
How it works and what it does
The Mini 41 is a fully analog camera with a simple point-and-shoot interface. It has a plastic lens with a 60mm f/12.7 aperture and a twist mechanism that turns the camera on and off and lets you switch to close-up mode (30–50 cm focus range). The parallax correction in close-up mode is a big improvement over the Mini 40. It moves the viewfinder’s focus mark to better frame selfies and other close-up shots. The camera also has automatic exposure control, which changes the flash output and shutter speed (from 1/2 to 1/250 sec) based on how much light is around it. A mirror for taking selfies is built in to help you frame your pictures. But you can’t turn off the always-on flash, which could cause overexposure in some situations.
Quality of the Image
The Mini 41 has the classic Instax Mini look, with bright colors, a soft focus, and a Polaroid-like feel that makes you feel nostalgic. The film (ISO 800) takes about 90 seconds to develop and works best in bright light, but it can have trouble with too much light in bright daylight. The new automatic exposure and flash controls make selfies and close-ups look better than they did in older models, but the camera’s limited dynamic range and lack of manual controls mean it’s not good for complicated compositions or low-light settings. Some reviewers said that the camera sometimes overexposed things, especially outside, but it does a great job of capturing fun, everyday moments.
Functionality and Performance
This camera is easy to use because it has only two buttons (the shutter and the film door release) and a lens ring that can be turned. This makes it easy for beginners to use. It’s easy to load film, and a yellow marker makes sure it’s lined up correctly. The viewfinder isn’t as accurate as a digital camera’s, but it does have parallax correction for close-ups. The camera is easy to use, which is a plus, but advanced photographers might find it limiting because it doesn’t have manual settings or creative filters like the more expensive Instax Mini 99 does.
Value and Comparison
The Mini 41 costs $129.95, which is $30 to $50 more than the Instax Mini 12 ($79.95), which has almost the same features but a more fun, rounded shape. If you want a more sophisticated look, the Mini 41’s high-end design makes the price worth it. However, the Mini 12 is still a better deal for people who are on a budget. The Instax Mini 99 ($200) has manual settings and creative effects for people who want more control. Hybrid models like the Mini Evo add digital features. The Mini 41 is a good choice for people who want something stylish and simple without spending a lot of money.
The verdict
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 is a cute and fashionable instant camera that makes prints that are fun and bring back memories with little effort. The new design and better close-up performance make it a great camera for casual photographers, especially those who want something that looks more grown-up than the Mini 12. It doesn’t have the advanced features of more expensive models like the Mini 99 or Mini Evo, but it’s a great way to get started with instant photography because it’s simple and cheap. The Mini 41 is a great choice if you want a camera that is simple to use, looks good, and can take pictures of unexpected events.