I just tested the new Fujifilm Instax mini 41 — and it might be the easiest, most user-friendly instant camera ever

I’m a sucker for an instant camera — everyone who has ever worked with me or read my work knows that. Fujifilm is known for making some of the best instant cameras and the Japanese photography giant has done it again with the Instax mini 41.

Announced in April 2025, it succeeds the lovely Instax mini 40 and retains some of its best features to deliver lovely, detailed prints — now in an all-black, premium-looking body. The Instax mini 41 looks sleek and it’s comfortable to hold. It’s also extremely easy to use, thanks to just two physical buttons on its body.

You also get a selfie mirror and a dedicated Close-Up Mode when you want to take portraits of your friends and family, or even yourself. However, the flash can’t be disabled — ever — and some images come out overexposed.

Is this the right instant camera for you? Read my full Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review to find out.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The latest addition to Fujifilm’s instant cameras line-up which uses mini format film
• Who is it for? For instant photographers who want a camera that looks serious and takes lovely photos
• How much does it cost? The Fujifilm Instax mini 41 retails for $99 / £94
• What do we like? Stunning image and print quality, straightforward controls, sleek design, long battery life, and built-in selfie mirror
• What don’t we like? It uses disposable batteries, the flash can’t be disabled, and some photos are overexposed

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Specs

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Price & availability

Announced on 8 April 2025, the Fujifilm Instax mini 41 succeeds the four-years-old Instax mini 40. It has a retail price of $99 at Instax U.S. / £94 at Amazon U.K., and at the time of writing, it is available to pre-order with shipping expected in late April.

It’s an analog instant camera, which means you just need to point and shoot to take and print a photo (unlike hybrid instant cameras that let you print from your smartphone). The Instax mini 41, then, finds itself competing with the likes of the Polaroid Go Gen 2 ($79) and the Fujifilm Instax mini 12 ($79).

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Design & build quality

The Fujifilm Instax mini 41 retains the Instax mini 40’s size and weight, measuring 4.11 x 4.82 x 2.65 inches and weighing just 12.16oz. I was able to easily slip it into my cargo pants’ pocket and carry it around.

The color scheme has been revamped. Instead of silver accents, the Instax mini 41 sports a combination of black and dark gray to deliver a premium-looking camera that looks more expensive than it is.

Most of the instant camera’s front is wrapped in a textured black surface, while its top is adorned by smooth dark gray components. I adore how this camera looks. Instead of the bubblegum, girly-pop colors used by the Instax mini 12, the Instax mini 41 looks like the perfect instant camera for grown-ups.

It also strikes a great balance between retro and modern looks. If this is the future Fujifilm envisions for its instant cameras, as we’ve seen with the Instax Wide Evo ($349), I am all for it.

The build quality is fantastic, as always. Even though the Instax mini 41 is made entirely of plastic, it doesn’t look or feel cheap. I also like the textured thumb grip next to the film door on the back, as it helps you securely hold the camera in your hands — no need to worry about it slipping.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Lens & viewfinder

The Fujifilm Instax mini 41 retains its predecessor’s imaging hardware. It’s fitted with a retractable 60mm lens, which means it’s neither too wide nor too telephoto, giving you a standard field of view.

It’s got two focus ranges: 0.3m-∞ for most shots, and 0.3-0.5m for close-up shots. Once you’ve decided which setting you want, simply look through the 0.37x viewfinder and shoot. The viewfinder is small but I didn’t have any trouble looking through it, even while wearing glasses.

The Instax mini 41 has a fixed f/12.7 aperture, just like the Instax mini 40 so while the camera performs well in bright conditions, it doesn’t do wonders in dimly lit environments. Shutter speed, 1/2-1/250s, is adjusted automatically as is the exposure. So all you really need to do is look through the viewfinder and press the shutter button.

There’s also a built-in flash with a range of 0.3-2.2m. However, it can’t be toggled on and off — it is always on, regardless of where or what you’re shooting. I’m not sure why Fujifilm opted for this design choice because you don’t need the flash all the time. In certain situations this can overexpose photos, which is frustrating.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Controls

There isn’t a lot going on in terms of the Fujifilm Instax mini 41’s controls. It’s so easy to use that even a five-year-old could take photos with it. It’s designed to be held with your right hand cupping the right side and your right thumb resting on the textured grip, and your index finger falling on the circular shutter button.

I found the camera extremely comfortable to use, with just one hand and both. The shutter button is easy to reach and it feels like the natural position for your hand. It also gives good tactile feedback when pressed.

The only other physical button is a ring dial around the lens. It’s textured so it provides a good grip, and it stays in place just enough so you don’t have to worry about accidentally turning it. Twisting it turns the camera on, and you can choose between the Normal and Close-Up focus ranges.

All these controls are easy to access. It’s one of the most straightforward control schemes you’ll find on an instant camera.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Image & print quality

Fujifilm rarely disappoints when it comes to its instant cameras’ image and print quality, and the Instax mini 41 is no different. It gives you little to complain about — and the only issue I have with this camera is that some photos come out overexposed. That can be chocked down to the very powerful flash which, like I said, can never be disabled.

But when the Instax mini 41 takes good photos, it takes really good photos. The camera faithfully reproduces colors (which is partly thanks to the Instax mini film) and photos come out with plenty of detail. I love the photos I snapped of my partner and my colleagues, which you can see above, and they’ve come out sharp.

Most photos taken outdoors turn out lovely too. I love the colors of the branches, sky, buildings and swans that have been captured in the photos above. Mini format prints are great for pinning up on corkboards or carrying around in your wallet.

The photos above made me appreciate how much detail the Instax mini 41 can capture. I was able to clearly read most of the text in the photos — even the finer print in the second print!

The Instax mini 41 has a Close-Up Mode, as I mentioned, but it takes a lot of trial and error to get the distance and focusing right. The first photo of my partner and I turned out great as we lined ourselves up by seeing our reflection in the selfie mirror. Both of us are in focus too. The second photo, however, is out of focus. This is because the viewfinder is offset from the lens, so you can’t see exactly what the Instax mini 41’s lens is pointing at.

And of course, the powerful flash being always-on tends to over-expose photos. The pigeons in the first shot and the swan in the second are too bright, like someone has cranked up the exposure in post-production, and they don’t make for flattering prints. I faced the same problem with the Instax mini 12 too.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Film cost & yield

The Fujifilm Instax mini 41, as the name implies, uses mini format film, just like the Instax mini LiPlay ($169) and the Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat ($159), which generally costs $14 / £14 per double film pack (20 pieces of film). You’ll be paying 75¢ per picture.

This cost is similar to the film used by the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro ($159). Instax mini film is also cheaper than Polaroid Go film used by the Polaroid Go Gen 2, 16 pieces of which usually cost $19 / £18.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Battery life

Much like many other Fujifilm Instax instant cameras, the Instax mini 41 uses two AA batteries. These aren’t great for the environment as they are difficult to recycle, but you can use rechargeable ones if that’s a concern.

Fujifilm claims that a pair of batteries yields 10 mini packs of 10 exposures each, so a total of 100 shots. This is similar to the aforementioned camera. If you want built-in Lithium-ion batteries, you’ll have to spend more on the likes of the Instax mini LiPlay ($169).

The Instax mini 41 doesn’t have a battery indicator so you’ll have to play it by ear. On a fresh pair of batteries, I comfortably got through three packs of film.

Fujifilm Instax mini 41 review: Verdict

Fujifilm shows no signs of stopping with its line-up of instant cameras, and the Instax mini 41 is another feather in the cap for the Japanese giant. I love how sleek and premium this camera looks with its black and gray body, and its ease of use makes the Instax mini 41 a delight to use.

While some photos come out overexposed and the flash can’t be disabled, most photos taken on the Instax mini 41 turn out lovely with faithful color reproduction and lots of detail. The built-in selfie mirror makes the process of taking self-portraits much easier too.

If you aren’t overly bothered by the camera using hard-to-recycle disposable batteries or (some) overexposed shots, then the Instax mini 41 is a formidable instant camera worthy of a place in your kitbag.