Spot Reviews: The Instax Mini 13 Leaves No One Out of Priceless Moments

Products and services mentioned on our websites are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, Summit Media may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

(SPOT.ph) There's a newfound appreciation for analog and tactile hobbies as a means of getting off the internet and slowing down to appreciate what life is all about. Film photography never really went away, but these days, more and more Gen Zs and millennials are picking it up. There’s a preference for film and digital cameras over smartphones in order to capture moments in physical prints—each one a unique, tangible copyies of a memory to hold

Through the years, Fujifilm and its series of analog instant cameras have been giving us the best of both worlds: modern convenience with retro aesthetics and feel. They make capturing shots more fun, and in the case of their Instax cameras, quick. Their latest release is the Instax Mini 13, with a new pillowy look and a self-timer feature that makes picture-taking more special and complete with everyone in it.

Also read: A Map of Analog Manila: 20 Spots in the City for Logging Off and Slowing Down

Released last March, the Instax Mini 13 is the new, playful sibling in Fujifilm's instant camera family. A little trivia: their first model is as old as this writer; the Instax Mini 10 and Mini Film were first launched in 1998. As usual with tech, they also evolved through the years, from their overall look to their formats and prints. They also released printers like the Instax Mini Link and hybrid cameras. Everyone went nuts over the Instax Pal, their pocket-sized camera, back in 2023. Fast forward to 2026, and the Instax Mini 13 now has the spotlight.

The Instax Mini 13 shares a lot of the core features with its predecessor, the Mini 12 like the close-up mode, auto-exposure, and flash. The thing to watch out for in the new mini model is the timer that now makes it easier to take photos with the whole group. Not to mention the bubbly, one-of-a-kind build. It comes in pastel colors—Candy Pink, Frost Blue, Clay White, Lagoon Green, and Dreamy Purple— that perfectly fit Gen Z's fun nature.

Also read: Capture Memories Anytime, Anywhere With the New Instax Pal Camera

Let's be real, we're all a sucker for cute things. Following the rounded design and soft, pastel colors of its predecessor, the Instax Mini 13 takes cuteness to the next level with a new detail: a pillow-like look with soft bumps around its surface. Aside from aesthetics, the design adds a bit of grip to the device.

Ours came with two AA batteries and a pack of FUJIFILM instax mini Film (which is sold separately starting at P400). We got the Dreamy Purple variant—a stark contrast to the cold and gray weather we've been having these days.

It's pretty straightforward. You just have to twist the lens to turn it on, and another twist for the close-up mode. Twist it back to turn it off. Look through the viewfinder to make sure that the subject is right where you want it to be. The close-up mode takes your subject to the center automatically if that's what you prefer. Once you're done, click the shutter button. Et voilà! Wait for a good 90 seconds or so for the film to come out and develop. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to shake the film while it's developing! Leave it alone and out of direct sunlight. Shaking or waving can cause the chemicals to spread unevenly. You don't want to ruin the shot with blotches or blobs.

If you're starting a new film pack, though, the first snap is always the protective cover. So don't panic when a black one comes out at first click.

There's a small selfie mirror right beside the lens, and if you can see yourself there, rest assured you're in the shot for your group selfies. The built-in flash makes it so that your photos won't turn out dark, which can be the case for film cameras with underexposed settings. We don't want to waste the shots with just pitch-black darkness. Though you might want to brace yourself (and warn others) for the sudden blinding flash.

Speaking of shots, there's a tiny window right at the back with numbers that can tell you how many films you have left on your Instax Mini 13. It pays to know how many shots you have left so you know when to load in the next pack of film.

Here's the highlight: the self-timer mode. No one has to sacrifice themselves to take the group photo or ask a stranger anymore (and give a quick crash course on how to operate it). Everyone can be in the frame, as long as they run fast to their position just in time for the ten-second timer to finish. It's an extreme sport.

The self-timer now has two options: two and ten seconds, and it can be activated at through the LED-equipped self-timer lever you need to turn before you click. If you want just the two-second timer, the lever just needs a little nudge, like less than two seconds, while the ten-second timer needs the lever to be turned all the way and held for at least two seconds. It's a success if the shutter lights up orange. After clicking the shutter button, it will start the countdown, indicated by the blinking.

For the ten-second timer, it will flash slowly for seven seconds, then quickly for the remaining three seconds. The two-second timer gives allowance for your arms and shots to stabilize when taking a group selfie. It weighs 327 grams, like your average smartphone, but the chunkiness of the build needed my two steady hands to hold it.

While the Instax cameras have accessories that can help you take shots in a specific angle and act like a tripod, propping the device on a flat surface without tools or accessories does the trick. Its wide, stable base won't fall down easily.

It's powered by two AA batteries, and there's no exact way to tell whether the device is going to run out of power. So if you don't want to get a sudden heart attack when a film gets stuck halfway through, it's best to pack more batteries. This jam usually happens if there's no more juice left. A single use battery is more than enough to get you through a three-day trip.

The batteries are located on a panel that has the embossed "Instax mini" logo. You just have to slide it downward and replace the batteries.

It's pretty, easy-to-use, and quick—what more can you ask for? It won't take an expert or even a manual to figure out the controls (which isn't really that much), which makes this the perfect entry point for those who are just dipping their toes into instant film photography, or literally to anyone who just wants to take pictures of good moments and even greater company, and keep physical prints of them as keepsakes. In the true Instax "Don't take, just give," motto, you can also give the photos to the people you make memories with.

The self-timer now adds the designated photographer to the picture, too, so everyone's part of the moment. The shots can be unexpected and imperfect, and some of your friends might have their eyes closed, but that's what makes it all the more special.

You don't have to get the films developed elsewhere since analog instant cameras like these can produce one-of-a-kind physical prints on their own and in just a few seconds. It's instant gratification.

It's approachable price-wise at P5,399, at least on their official Lazada page. But of course, the film is something you have to repurchase every time you want to use it, like for a special occasion coming up, or on a weekend trip with friends. You can get 10 films in one pack.

The Instax Mini 13 Film Camera retails at P5,399. You can get it in a bundle through the Fun Kit (P6,399), which includes the camera, Instax bag, mystery charm, photo card holder, photobook with charm, colored frames, and stickers.

Camera Commons, Camera Haus, Henry's Cameras, JG Superstore, Photoline, and Wonder Photo Shop, among others, are some of the authorized retailers where you can find Instax devices, films, and accessories.

For more information, check out Fujifilm Instax's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Links are updated regularly and as much as possible but note that products can run out of stock, discounts can expire, and listed prices can change without prior notice.

For more discounts and deals, check out Spot's exclusive vouchers.