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Photographers Review: Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay+ Hybrid Digital and Instant Print Camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay+ is the latest entry in Fujifilm’s hybrid instant camera line, combining digital capture with the ability to print on classic Instax Mini film. Building on the strengths of the original LiPlay, this upgraded model introduces some interesting improvements, including a dual camera system, new creative modes, and expanded audio features. While not a perfect device, it stands out as one of the most versatile instant and digital cameras currently available.

A bit about me and why I wrote this post: my name is Alison Winterroth, and I have been a professional photographer since 2012. I purchase each item I review and test it out myself to give my honest thoughts. I love trialing unique, well-made products and sharing them with people who value tested product reviews from someone who isn’t just looking to make a sale. However, suppose you read this independently reviewed product and decide to purchase a camera or product using the link in the blog. In that case, I may earn a commission (with no additional cost to you), which enables me to continue creating content like this: honest, straightforward opinions and product demonstrations.

I recently took this camera on a trip to New York City and absolutely loved its size and the ability to slide it into a fanny pack and bring it along. It surprised me with how well the images turned out. I took many of the photos in this post on this NYC trip, and all the others were taken with this digital camera. In short, there is a reason Instax has some of the best instant cameras on the market today.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the performance, features, strengths, and drawbacks of these Instax cameras.

Specifications

Let’s get the technical specs out of the way first. I typically gloss over these because I don’t think most of them matter for the most part- making images is about feeling and ease of use. I have created images I love using a $50 camera and a $3000 camera (and everything in between). But I would be negligent if I didn’t at least share some of these.

The primary camera has a focal length of f = 28 mm (35 mm film equivalent), an aperture of F2.0, and a shooting distance of about 4 inches to infinity. It also has a flash that you can turn on or off.

The rear selfie camera has a focal length of f = 23 mm (35 mm film equivalent), an aperture of F2.2, a fixed focus, a shooting distance of about 16 inches to infinity, and no flash.

The hybrid camera has an auto shutter speed of 1/4 to 1/8000 second, auto ISO from 100 to 1600, and multi metering (evaluative metering). There is no way to manually control the camera or even change the focus point. The most you can control exposure is by changing the exposure value to +1 or +2, which would result in a brighter image.

Design & Build Quality

Fujifilm continues its trend of compact, stylish designs with the LiPlay+. The camera is lightweight and easily portable, making it easy to pop into a purse or hang from your wrist. It looks modern, and I love the off white creamy color (it also comes in a dark grey)- these are new colors compared to the previous model.

The standout hardware improvements include:

3.0-inch LCD screen (the previous model of the LiPlay has a 2.7 inch display)
Has an front shutter button that makes it easy to use camera for selfies or regular photographs.
Dual-lens system with a dedicated selfie camera- and this is almost the best reason to buy this camera. There is a button on the side that switches the camera between front and back views, making it very convenient to use. (The previous version had only one camera)
Improved button layout for shortcuts to printing, effects, and sound features- the buttons did take me a bit to get used to- and I found myself sometimes turning the camera off instead of flipping to the selfie camera.

Features & Performance

Dual Camera System

The LiPlay+ introduces a front facing camera, addressing one of the most significant limitations of many instant cameras: poorly framed selfies and group shots. The shutter button is also on the front of the camera. The rear camera continues to handle general shooting, and switching between them is seamless. While the sensors are modest, they deliver more than enough clarity for Instax mini-sized prints, and I have created some really great images from the camera.

Layered Photo Mode

One of the most creative additions is Layered Photo Mode, which lets users blend two separate shots into one final image. This feature adds a level of storytelling, and I like to use it to take one photo of myself or my subject and one of the scene around the photo. It creates an interesting way to show more points of reference for the photographs I love.

6 Color Filters

The Instax LiPlay plus comes with 6 filters that you can overlay on your images. These include Stylish, Vivid, Fisheye, Poster, Sepia & Black & White. I typically use just the regular camera with no filter, but definitely experiment with what you think looks best!

Hybrid Shooting & Printing

As a hybrid device, the LiPlay+ acts as both a compact camera and a smartphone printer:

Photos taken with the camera can be previewed and printed instantly.
Photos taken with the camera can be saved, transferred to your device, and/or printed later.
Images from your smartphone can be sent through the app and printed with the same Instax aesthetic.
A typical film pack has 10 images, and they are 2.1 x 3.4 inches (54 x 86 mm) for the overall film/print, with the actual image area being smaller at 1.8 x 2.5 inches (46 x 62 mm) within the white border. The film costs about $1 per image and buying in bulk can bring the per-image price down to .75 cents a photograph.

This dual functionality is one of the LiPlay+’s strongest selling points, allowing you to enjoy instant photography while still saving and printing your photos later. Printing only the best images means you are saving film and, therefore, money.

Audio Recording & Sound Albums

The LiPlay+ continues to have the sound feature from previous models. Users can attach three seconds of audio clips to photos using a record button, which can be accessed via a QR code printed alongside the image. The new Instax Sound Album feature expands this by letting users create shareable multimedia compilations of prints, audio, and music. The sound quality is adequate, but will not win any awards for clarity.

I will be completely honest here (ha- as if there was any other way for me to write a review), this feature neither interests me nor is a selling point to me. I don’t like the look of the QR codes in my photos, and it just isn’t something I personally look for. But I could see how it would be fun for some people!

The camera stores photographs on its internal memory, or you can add a micro SD card. It holds approximately 45 images in internal memory and approximately 850 images per 1 GB on a microSD memory card. I have had great luck with the SanDisk Extreme Pro microsd card in 32 GB (a 16 GB card could also be adequate here).

Image Quality

The LiPlay+’s digital sensor is small (around 2560×1920 resolution), and the results reflect that. Image quality is comparable to a basic smartphone from several generations ago—perfectly adequate for small instant prints but not intended for high-resolution viewing.

They do have two color profiles for printing your photos:

Natural for a softer, more analog look- this is the normal Instax light and airy look. It can sometimes look washed out or overexposed if you are not careful.
Rich for deeper contrast and saturation- this is the setting that I use when printing my images. It is, obviously, a personal choice, but it works for me and my photographs.

You can save these photos to your phone or computer for sharing digitally as well. For the Instax film format, the image quality is reliable and consistent. Anyone expecting mirrorless-level clarity for the digital images, however, will be disappointed.

Mobile App Integration

The LiPlay Plus has a smartphone app that is exactly the same as the original, with options for remote shooting (a timer allows you to take photos from further away), direct print from your phone, transfer images from your camera to your mobile phone for online sharing, and sharing images with sound.
The companion app with this camera remains a highlight:

Wireless printing is fast and stable
Filters and frames are easy to apply.
You can turn a normal photograph into something special.

The app significantly expands what the camera can do, especially for users who prefer editing on their phones.

Battery Life

Battery performance is solid for casual use. It can handle multiple print sessions and extended shooting without needing a recharge, though heavy smartphone printing may drain it more quickly. Taking it out and about on my trip to NYC, and I was there for 3 days on a single charge and never needed to charge it. The camera has a usb-c port, and charging takes 2-3 hours, depending on the temperature.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Dual-camera system improves framing and selfie performance
Hybrid shooting and smartphone printing add significant flexibility.
Layered Photo Mode expands creativity.
Sound recording on prints offer a unique memory making feature.
Lightweight and easy to use
App integration is strong and intuitive.

Cons

The sensor is small; image quality is modest.
Audio features rely on long-term QR code compatibility.
Lacks the fully analog charm of traditional instant cameras
Price may feel high for users who only want a simple instant camera (but this is a hybrid sooooo)

Those looking for a purely analog experience or the highest image quality may prefer other models (Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a fantastic option for a higher quality hybrid camera and you can see my review on the Evo here). Still, for users seeking versatility and modern features, the Instax LiPlay+ is one of the strongest digital/film instant camera combos on the market.