New INSTAX Mini LiPlay Instant Camera

After the launches of the INSTAX SQUARE SQ10 and the INSTAX SQUARE SQ20, we are pleased to announce that FUJIFILM Corporation has expanded its hybrid technology to the INSTAX Mini Series.  INSTAX Mini LiPlay is the first hybrid instant camera within the INSTAX Mini lineup, combining instant print and digital technologies.  The INSTAX Mini LiPlay camera has some new and attractive features never before seen in the INSTAX Mini camera lineup.  It will be available in three colors: Elegant Black, Blush Gold and Stone White. 

Key Features of the INSTAX Mini LiPlay

Smallest INSTAX camera model in the INSTAX series
Users can download an app to use with LiPlay, preview images before printing and edit their images using “Snapchat-like” filters and frames
Can be used as a smartphone printer in which users can print photos from their phone
Users can record sound with their images, convert the sound to QR code and print the QR code on their image. Sound is played when the QR code is scanned with a smartphone.
Can be controlled with a smartphone for remote shooting of images.
Hybrid instant camera is “smallest instax product on the market”, boasting instant printing via microSD

In addition to revealing the announcement date, the company has also effectively confirmed that the LiPlay will feature Bluetooth connectivity. 

You use the rear LCD screen to frame and take photos, which essentially gives the camera live view functionality. These images can then be saved to the internal camera memory (currently unspecified) or to a microSD card.

Photographs that you’ve taken – or, indeed, imported – can be selected from your library and printed on the LiPlay using packs of instax mini instant film.

However, the most fascinating feature is the ability to record audio with your images via the dedicated Sound button on the front of the camera. This audio clip is then converted to a QR code, which can be printed on your photo. 

When this code is scanned using the LiPlay smartphone app, the audio is played. This is a great idea and one that we can see being hugely popular with the younger generation, as a fun way to send messages and share memories.

he app also facilitates remote camera control, which enables you to use your smartphone to shoot images, and can transfer images from your smartphone to the LiPlay for direct printing (with the ability to make minor scaling and rotation edits before sending). 

The camera also features three shortcut buttons positioned on its left edge, which enable you to select different frames for your images. The app’s final trick is that it can assign your own templates to these shortcuts instead. 

In all, it’s a fun and highly innovative instant camera that we can see a lot of potential for – the QR code audio could really take off as a kind of analog Snapchat. Price will, of course, be key, so we will update with RRPs and release dates when we have them. 

5.78″ x 4.06″ x 3.39″ (LxWxH)