Instax today has introduced a new camera that’s unlike its usual offerings. Known as the Instax Pal, the new product is a palm-sized digital camera and is the only one from the Fujifilm sub-brand that doesn’t offer a built-in printer so far. Instead, it is designed to work together with Instax’s portable printers such as the Mini Link, Square Link and Link Wide.
One of the major highlights of the Instax Pal is its tiny size, which makes it easily storable in pockets, purses, and so on. It inherits the brand’s playful, rounded design that’s reminiscent of models such as the Instax mini 12, though we can’t help but notice that it resembles a webcam more than anything else. Included together with the Pal is a multi-use ring accessory that can function as a finger strap, stand, or even a makeshift viewfinder by attaching it on top.
Interface on the camera is very clean and simple. There’s a power button on top, a shutter button and a USB-C port on the back, a speaker and flash unit just above its fixed lens in front, as well as a hidden microSD card slot on the left-hand side. It is also worth mentioning that the Instax Pal does not come with an LCD screen or selfie mirror, so you may want to take multiple shots unless you’re really confident with your aim.
Fujifilm did not specify what kind of sensor is equipped on the miniature shooter apart from describing it as a 1/5-inch CMOS with primary colour filter that’s capable of shooting 2560 x 1920 images. The Instax Pal is said to feature an ISO range of 100 to 1600, f2.2 aperture with 35mm equivalent focal length, auto white balance and exposure functions, as well as 1/4 second to 1/8000 second shutter speed. Besides that, it also comes with internal memory that can store up to 50 shots, and even more if you slot in a microSD card. Unfortunately, the miniature camera does not feature any video recording capabilities.
Strangely enough, the company did not say how long the Instax Pal is capable of lasting on a single charge but notes that it does take up to three hours to top up its battery. On that note, keep in mind that the onboard USB-C connector is only used for charging, as data transfer to the brand’s Link printers and other devices (including smartphones) solely depend on the camera’s built-in Bluetooth function.
The new Instax Pal is only offered as part of a bundle which includes the brand’s Mini Link 2 printer along with a 10-pack of white-bordered film for US$200 (~RM937), with no plans for a standalone release at this time. It is available in five colour options: Pistachio Green, Powder Pink, Lavender Blue, Gem Black and Milky White. There’s no word of a local release just yet but for what it’s worth, Instax Malaysia has been sharing posts featuring the camera on its Facebook page not long after the global announcement.
(Source: Fujifilm / Instax [1] [2])
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