Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
Our verdict · The safest universal crowd-pleaser at around £60-£70 — just budget for film on top.
Buy it if
You want a fun, universal gift that makes shared memories, whatever your friend's hobbies.
Skip it if
Your friend already owns an instant camera or wouldn't want the ongoing film cost.
Where to get it
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
From around £60 (indicative; typically £60-£70)
Indicative price at the time of review.
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The instax mini 12 is Fujifilm's current entry-level instant camera and the safest crowd-pleaser here: point it, twist the lens on, and it prints a credit-card-sized photo on the spot. Automatic exposure handles the settings, and there's a close-up mode with a selfie mirror, so a non-photographer friend gets usable results without fiddling. It sits below the retro-styled mini 41 (launched 2025) in Fujifilm's range; the 12 is the value pick and comes in five pastel finishes. The catch every buyer should factor in is running cost — instax mini film is an ongoing spend per print — and there are no manual controls for enthusiasts. Indicative pricing is around £60-£70; budget for a twin-pack of film on top. It's the best choice when you want a fun gift that creates shared memories rather than a keepsake that sits in a drawer.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Near-universal appeal and dead simple to use — no camera knowledge needed
- Instant physical prints make it a shared, sociable gift
- Strong value and consistently well reviewed
Cons
- Film is an ongoing cost per print, so factor that into the budget
- Fixed automatic controls only — no manual settings for keen photographers
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Abbott Lyon Personalised Name Necklace | 91/100 | From around £79 (indicative) | overall |
| 2.Fujifilm Instax Mini 12This pick | 89/100 | From around £60 (indicative; typically £60-£70) | crowd-pleaser under £70 |
| 3.LEGO Botanicals Bouquet of Roses (10328) | 88/100 | £54.99 (RRP, indicative) | lasting keepsake |
| 4.Spa Day for Two (Virgin Experience Days) | 85/100 | From around £50 for two (indicative; ~£50-£120+ by venue) | shared experience |
| 5.NEOM Real Luxury Scented Candle (1-Wick, 185g) | 80/100 | £40 RRP (often discounted at beauty retailers, indicative) | affordable treat under £40 |
Good to know
- Price
- From around £60 (indicative; typically £60-£70)
- Film
- instax mini, credit-card-size prints
- Exposure
- Automatic (adjusts shutter and flash)
- Extras
- Close-up mode and built-in selfie mirror
- Colours
- Five pastel finishes
- Power
- 2x AA batteries
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 15 September 2026
- Updated
- 15 September 2026
- Last verified
- 15 September 2026
- Sources
- 9 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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