@InstaxA #miniLiPlay Hybrid Camera #InstaxSA @FUJIFILM_SA #ProductReview

Hi Friends, 

Fujifilm is keeping the world on its feet in the world of Instant Camera and I got the chance to check out this amazing new Instax mini LiPlay which is loaded with some of the great features which were not there in any of the other Instax cameras. I received the same in Stone White color for a two week review period along with some Instax films whereas it is also available in three other colors - Elegant Black, Dark Gray, and Blush Gold. 

The first thing is the compact design which is unlike any other Instax cameras as it becomes handier whereas all the others are more about the form factor the world knows and flash it around. The mini LiPlay can be easily put into your jacket pocket or backpack just like any point and shoot camera and the overall weight of the device is around 250 grams without the film pack and memory card. The camera has a button on the front to take the photos along with a special button to record the audio too. The power button is one side along with the function button that can be assigned to your favorite filters. There is a slot for a micro-SD card and there is a charging slot at the bottom of the camera. The back contains a button to open the slot for instant film and as you print the film comes out from the top slot. The device also has the buttons to print, back, and play along with a menu button and circular dial. 

The mini LiPlay comes with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which as they say on the package to last around a maximum of 100 prints but that is significantly reduced if you are clicking photos on the camera too. The internal memory can take up to 45 photos and can be increased by adding a micro-SD card to the setup. I mainly used the same to print my own photos and mainly as a printer which was really fast (takes around 12 seconds per photo) using the new smartphone app names Instax mini LiPlay available in both Apple Store and Google Play. The camera can be fully charged in around 3 hours using the micro-USB cable. 

Another feature that is not available earlier in the special voice notes that you can record which gets printed as the QR code on the photos as per your choice and then the user can decode the message using the mini LiPlay app without even owning one. This has uses in many things from Treasure hunt for kids or adults alike or to send special notes for your loved ones. The brand used the same to launch a contest at the Photo expo where at the activation counter, they were handing films if you got a voice note on your film, you win some Instax prizes. The only thing is taking up some space in your already small Instax prints. This feature takes time to learn as you need to record a unique voice message if you want different messages on every print. 

As Instax is a fun camera, mini LiPlay brings more filters and frames to showcase your creativity. There are around 10 pre-installed image frames on the camera and 30 are available on the app. You can easily add up to 3 of your favorite filters assigned into the camera shortcut button. Moreover, it also comes with a remote shooting using the smartphone app which has several uses from group shots to taking photos of your pets in their ecosystem. 

2.7 inch TFT color LCD monitor is the display whereas the image sensor is 1.5in CMOS with the primary color filter with around 5 Megapixels of effective pixels. The drawback is that it is a single Autofocus system but don't think of this camera as your regular point and shoot from the house of Sony, Nikon, Samsung, Canon, etc as those are much more advanced systems. This is a fun point and shoot camera with a 28mm focal length and aperture f2.0 which takes good quality photos in bright daylight. I can assure you that I have checked the quality of photos printed on Canon and HP instant devices but Instax films are better quality above all of them. 

Overall, Instax mini LiPlay is the best instant camera that can print all your photographs captured with your smartphone or DSLR cameras as it easily functions as a printer. The camera is great when you want to share your group photos with your friends and the prints are easily just at the cost of Instax mini films which is around R150 for 10 and around R300 for 20 films version. Moreover, Instax has so many different formats of films that comes with already installed filters on the paper. I am totally a fan of these printers but now the market also offers Canon ZoeMini S and HP Sprocket and Polaroid Snap Touch. The Instax cameras have an ecosystem that can easily decorate your walls, albums, or even bullet journals. RATING 4/5

Sawubona!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts. Namaste!

Unique @FUJIFILM_SA @InstaxS #miniLiPlay Hybrid Camera Launched At #PrintLifeSA Exhibition

Hi Friends, 

FUJIFILM is redefining the world of instant photography with the introduction of the stylish and sleek Instax mini LiPlay hybrid camera. Launched in South Africa to coincide with the FUJIFILM PrintLife Exhibition, currently running at Sandton City, Johannesburg, this instant camera offers a number of wonderful features never before seen in FUJIFILM’s line-up of point, shoot and print cameras.

For one, the Instax mini LiPlay is specially designed to act as both an instant camera and a photo printer. As with any Instax camera, users can snap and print photos directly from the camera. However, the mini LiPlay connects via an app to smartphones, with users then able to print any photo stored on that device. With this feature, Instax brings together the best of its hybrid cameras, such as the SQUARE SQ20, and its portable smartphone printers, such as the SHARE SP-3.

Photos, now with a message

This Instax mini LiPlay is certainly not a one-trick-pony since it has another unique card up to the sleeve: Voice notes. One would expect that sound and photos do not play well together, however, the Instax mini LiPlay is about to change this forever. Users are able to take a picture of a friend, record a voice note (up to 10 seconds) for him or her via a button at the front of the camera, and then print out the photo. The print will feature a unique QR code which can be scanned by smartphone in order to listen to the recorded message. This is a first-time feature that can only be found on the Instax mini LiPlay camera.

Save, edit, print

The Instax mini LiPlay is the first of the Instax mini range – printing on mini photo paper – that allows users to save images on the device and select which one they want to print. Up to 46 images can be stored on the built-in storage space, with the device allowing for added memory via microSD or microSDHC cards. Users can select their best shots on the 2.7-in. TFT color LCD monitor at the back, while also editing images on the fly.

To add extra spice to photos, it’s possible to apply one of six filters directly from the camera - black & white, sepia, the stylish, vivid, poster of fish-eye. There are also ten different creative frames to choose from, while 20 more are available from the Instax mini LiPlay app. Through the app, users can assign any of the frames to one of the camera’s shortcut buttons on the side to make in-camera editing easier.

For those who love group photos, the Instax mini LiPlay app has a wonderful extra – it can be used as a remote to snap a photo from a distance.

Live life and Play

From a size perspective, the Instax mini LiPlay is the smallest and lightest camera in the Instax range, coming in at a mere 255 g. As always, photos are printed quickly and easily, with printing taking no more than 12 seconds.

It’s never a case of all work and no play when it comes to Instax since there’s also a range of stylish accessories, such as the color-coded camera straps specifically designed for the Instax mini LiPlay. Users can furthermore look forward to film cases that double as photo displays, plus photo albums to help with the protection of memories.

FUJIFILM PrintLife Exhibition

The Instax mini LiPlay debuted at the FUJIFILM PrintLife Exhibition, currently on display at Sandton City’s Centre Court. South Africans from all walks of life have submitted their favorite photos, which were then printed by FUJIFILM for free. A total of 3000 photos are currently on display, with this the first time the FUJIFILM PrintLife Exhibition is held on African soil. The PrintLife concept originated in Japan in 2006, with the exhibition making its way across the globe to countries such as Germany, Spain, Canada, and the United States, amongst others.

The PrintLife Exhibition is running from 18 June 2019 until 24 June 2019, where visitors are able to not only browse the photos but also interact with FUJIFILM X Series and Instax cameras, amongst which the new mini LiPlay. Visitors can come to have their photo taken in support of WaterAid, with FUJIFILM X-Photographers presenting workshops for those wanting to improve their photography.

Cost and availability

The FUJIFILM Instax mini LiPlay is available in three beautifully stylish colors - Blush Gold, Stone White, and Elegant Black, each offering a texture unique to the touch.

The mini LiPlay hybrid camera can be found in select retail stores and online for a recommended retail price of R2499. FUJIFILM Instax mini photo paper is available in packs of ten or 20, costing in the region of R160 and R300 respectively.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on your products, events, and services. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra!