When comparing Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 vs Lomo'Instant Automat, the Slant community recommends Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 for most people. In the question“What are the best instant cameras under $150?” Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 is ranked 5th while Lomo'Instant Automat is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 is:
It offers 3 shooting modes – an auto mode (landscape and macro focusing modes), dedicated selfie mode and a hi-key mode for extreme brightness. These 3 modes offer everything a beginner might need. The focus modes can be changed to landscape, normal or macro modes with just the touch of a button.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Beginner-friendly shooting and focus modes
It offers 3 shooting modes – an auto mode (landscape and macro focusing modes), dedicated selfie mode and a hi-key mode for extreme brightness. These 3 modes offer everything a beginner might need. The focus modes can be changed to landscape, normal or macro modes with just the touch of a button.
Pro It's very unlikely that film will disappear from the market soon
Since approximately 5 million Instax cameras were sold just in 2016, it's pretty much guaranteed that its film will be widely available for years to come.
Pro No selfie film wasting
The built-in selfie mirror makes taking self-portraits much easier, eliminating the risk of wasting film on wrongly framed guesses.
Pro Very affordable film
This camera uses the Fuji Instax Mini, which is a notably affordable instant film. A pack of Instax Mini film costs around $8 for 10 photographs, or $0.80 per shot.
Pro Many styling accessories available
As one of the most popular instant cameras on the market, it has plenty of low-cost, third party accessories available, beside the official ones offered by the manufacturer. However, most of the accessories are not directly related to photography, but are instead "styling" items such as bags, stickers, or straps.
Pro Camera status info via LCD screen
A basic LCD screen provides information regarding shots remaining and the current mode.
Pro Can be mounted on a tripod
The camera is mountable on a tripod.
Pro Stylish signature Fuji Instax design
The camera boasts the signature Fuji Instax design – rectangular with very rounded corners and a big, bulky retractable lens in the middle. Its size is relatively small (4.5" x 2.25" x 4.25") and it's available in five different colors, ranging from bright and fun colors to more low-key ones.
Pro Easy to focus selfies
The selfie mode automatically sets the lens to a close focusing distance.
Pro Great automatic performance
This camera's ambient light meter does a great job getting the proper exposure and shutter speed in most situations, particularly in indoor environments.
Pro Unlimited exposures on the same film
Multiple exposure mode allows you to take unlimited exposures on one film, which is rare for a camera in this price range.
Pro Affordable film
This camera uses the Fuji Instax film standard. While the images are small, measuring 2.4x1.8 inches, the film is the cheapest in the market costing around 60-80 US cents per picture. There is also a B&W film available, but is twice as expensive.
Pro Full flash control
The Automat offers full flash control, even when in automatic mode.
Pro IR remote control
The lens cover doubles as an IR remote controller for the camera.
Pro Available in a great bundle deal
Lomography offers a bundle deal for this camera. It adds several lens add-ons, coloured flash gels and a Splitzer for multiple exposures. It does not add a lot to the cost, so it makes sense to buy the bundle, unless you have the accessories already. Alternatively, the accessories (without the camera itself) can be bought as a set, separately.
Pro Comes with cards featuring photography hints
The Automat comes with "inspiration cards" with hints and tips to improve your shooting skills.
Pro Bulb mode for long exposures
The Automat has a bulb mode for long exposures, up to 30 seconds, and you can use the flash while in bulb mode.
Cons
Con Small image size
This camera's film actual photos are tiny: the actual image size is 1.8” × 2.4" on a 2.1” × 3.4" card.
Con Hard to find battery
The camera uses a CR2 battery standard which is less common than AA batteries and not as widely available.
Con Hard to use the shutter button when in landscape mode
The shutter button is placed a bit awkwardly and can be hard to reach when shooting in landscape mode.
Con Toyish design
Due to it's design, this camera is frequently compared to a toy camera.
Con Limited manual control
Manual control is quite limited. You just have the choice of changing between preset modes and some basic EV adjustments.
Con Small margin for exposure compensation
Exposure compensation can only be done between -⅔ and +⅔ EV, which is a small margin.
Con Flash can't be turned off
There is no option to manually turn off the flash.
Con Automatic mode has issues with high dynamic range pictures
This camera's automatic mode can struggle when dealing with contrasty outdoor scenes, such as dark buildings against bright skies. For what it's worth, you can correct the exposure manually to choose between capturing either the darker or the brighter areas of the scene.
Con Batteries can be hard to find
The camera is powered by CR2 type batteries that are long lasting and compact, but may be hard to find.