Hey, photo lovers!
Taking photos without printing them is like stopping a movie at 90 %… you’ll miss the plot. We want vintage and authenticity! So go print your photos!
In this blog post, I’m going to review three of the latest instant photo printers from Fujifilm: the Instax Mini Link 2, the Square and the SP-3. I’ll also compare them with some of the alternatives in the market and give you my honest opinion on which one is the best for your needs. I am also gonna tell you which one I kept! Let’s get started!
The Instax Mini Link 2 is the successor of the popular Mini Link, which was released in 2019. It’s a compact and lightweight printer that connects to your camera (e.g. X100V) or smartphone via Bluetooth and prints photos in the classic Instax Mini format (62 x 46 mm). The Mini Link 2 has some new features, such as a motion sensor that lets you zoom in and out by tilting the printer, a video print function that lets you select a frame from a video and print it as a photo, and a party mode that lets you collaborate with your friends and create a collage of photos. The Mini Link 2 also has a rechargeable battery that can print up to 100 photos per charge, and a variety of filters and frames to customize your photos. I love this little thing and the usability is great!
find the mini Link here on Amazon https://amzn.to/44IyECM
The Fujifilm Instax Square Printer is very compact and portable, so you can take it anywhere and print your memories on the spot. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and uses the Instax Share app to print your photos. The app has a lot of features and options to customize your prints, such as adjusting the brightness, contrast, saturation and cropping. You can also choose from different templates, such as collage, split, party and seasonal. The printer uses Instax Square film, which has a glossy finish and a white border. The prints are about 2.4 x 2.4 inches in size, and they come out in about 12 seconds. Overall, it is very similar to the Mini Link 2, you have to decide which format you prefer!
find the Square printer here on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Lbdgz6
The SP-3 is the third generation of Fujifilm’s square format printer, which prints photos in the Instax Square format (62 x 62 mm). The SP-3 is slightly larger and heavier than the Mini Link 2, but it also has a more premium design and feel. The SP-3 connects to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and prints photos in high resolution and vivid colors. The SP-3 has some unique features, such as a split print function that lets you divide one photo into two or four prints, a collage print function that lets you combine up to nine photos into one print, and a hashtag print function that lets you search and print photos from Instagram using hashtags. The SP-3 also has a rechargeable battery that can print up to 160 photos per charge, and a range of templates and stickers to decorate your photos. Cool thing, but not for on-the-go printing!
find the SP-3 here on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Z3VSlT
if it is not available, the SP-2 is still a good option and a bit cheaper! https://amzn.to/4606lkt
get your spare film for the Mini Link and Sp-2 here https://amzn.to/45GgFOS
get your spare film for the Square and Sp-3 here https://amzn.to/3sAtlrJ
Both printers use the same app, called Instax Mini Link for iOS and Android. The app is easy to use and has a lot of options to edit and enhance your photos before printing them. You can also print photos directly from your camera roll or from other apps like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Photos.
So, how do these printers compare with each other and with the alternatives? Well, here are some of the pros and cons of each printer:
Instax Mini Link 2 and Square
Pros:
– Small and portable
– Fun and interactive features
– Affordable price
– Wide selection of filters and frames
Cons:
– Lower print quality
SP-3 and SP-2
Pros:
– Higher print quality
– More creative features
Cons:
– Bigger and heavier
– More expensive price
– Fewer filters and frames
Alternatives
There are many other instant photo printers in the market, such as the Canon Selphy Square QX10, the HP Sprocket Plus, the Polaroid Hi-Print, and the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages, but here are some general points to consider:
– Most of them use Zink paper, which is cheaper than Instax paper but also less durable and fade-resistant, this is why I won’t recommend these!
– Most of them have higher resolution and more colors than Instax printers, but also less contrast and saturation.
– Most of them have more options to adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation, etc. of your photos before printing them.
– Most of them have larger photo sizes than Instax Mini but smaller than Instax Square.
– Most of them have a lack of character! I’d go with Fujifilm!
My verdict
After testing some printers, I have to say that my favorite one is the Mini Link 2 and I kept it. I love the format, the print quality, and especially the size! I can take it everywhere and connect it directly to my camera. I think it’s worth the money if you want to have beautiful and lasting memories. The alternatives are also good choices if you want something different or cheaper than Instax printers. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it depends on your personal preference.
I hope this blog post was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more reviews, tips, and tutorials on photography. Happy printing!
Hey, just a heads up: some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something through them at no extra cost for you! This helps me keep this blog running and pay for my coffee addiction. Don’t worry, I only recommend products that I actually love. Thanks for your support!
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