The Fujifilm Instax Pal is a Palm-Sized Camera That’s Instax in Name Only
Fujifilm has announced the Instax Pal, a palm-sized digital camera that has a design that’s decidedly action camera-esque, but it only shoots photos that are either meant to be sent to a smartphone or microSD card and are intended to be printed on an Instax Link series printer.
Fujifilm’s Instax brand is booming, so it makes sense that the company is expanding the products that bear that very popular name. Like the Instax Mini Evo, the Instax Pal doesn’t shoot directly to film but instead captures images on a digital sensor which can then be printed. However, unlike the Mini Evo, the Pal doesn’t have a built-in printer and is designed to work in tandem with Fujifilm’s Link series printers such as the Mini Link, Square Link, or Link Wide.
The company describes the Pal as a unique digital camera and the first all-digital camera in the Instax line. The company positions it as ideal to take anywhere to capture “life’s spontaneous moments.”
Once captured, images are stored either on the camera’s internal memory (which holds a maximum of 50 photos) or on an optional microSD card (not included). Fujifilm recommends users transfer photos to their smartphones often if they don’t plan to use a microSD card, a process that is managed from the Instax Pal smartphone app.
The design is simple. Other than the power button located at the top, the Pal has a large shutter button on the back that is designed to be easy to press whether you are taking photos of friends or snapping a selfie. The Pal comes pre-loaded with multiple shutter sounds but it also allows users to record their own custom sound via the app.
The Pal has the ability to shoot remotely using the app, has support for interval shooting (take 3, 6, 11 or 21 continuous images at three second intervals), and comes with a small flash to illuminate subjects as well as a “multi-use” detachable ring that works as a finger strap, simple viewfinder, or camera stand.
The information on the Pal camera itself is scant; Fujifilm did not provide any specifications on the lens or the sensor at all. The resolution of the digital photos was also not mentioned.
The Pal app comes with 18 creative filters and the ability to add text, two features that allow users to customize a photo before it is printed on a Fujifilm Instax printer or shared digitally. The app also allows users to combine multiple images in to an animation, described as similar to a flipbook. If the animation is printed, a QR code is included on the print that will play the animation back. It’s not clear where that animation is stored and for how long.
The Instax Pal digital camera will be available in late October bundled with the Instax Mini Link 2 printer along with a 10-pack of white-bordered film for $200. Fujifilm did not note a price for just the camera ahead of announcement, nor did it state if it would be even available to purchase without the printer.
Image credits: Fujifilm
