More than two years after the debut, it seems the Instax Mini 9 has a competitor in the newly launched Canon IVY CLIQ instant camera. Priced at $99.99, this one has the added advantage of SD card storage and charging via a USB cable. So, are these features enough to push it to the top of the best instant camera list? That’s what we are going to find out today. In our post today, we pit the Canon IVY CLIQ against the Fuji Instax Mini 9 to see which one is the better. Let’s get started.
Specs That Matter
Specs and Design
Let’s start with the specs first. The Canon CLIQ digital camera packs a 5-megapixel lens with an f/2.2 aperture. And it can print photos that are 2 x 3 or 2 x 2 inches in size. When it comes to the design, it is slim and resembles the conventional cameras. The viewfinder and the flash are at the front while the rear houses the paper tray, and a couple of buttons. On the other hand, the Instax Mini 9 is more like a traditional film camera with a 60mm moderate wide-angle lens and f/12.7 aperture. The printed photos have a slightly smaller image area of about 1.8 x 2.4 inches. And though it is not as slim as the IVY CLIQ, the bigger size of the Instax Mini 9 makes it easier to hold and shoot. Plus, it comes with a close-up lens attachment for shooting macros. Also, unlike the CLIQ which has the shutter button at the top, the Instax Mini 9 has it at the front. Speaking of common design set, both the instant cameras pack a selfie mirror at the front for those Insta-worthy moments. Now that we have covered the specs and the design let’s get to the differences.
1. Printing Method: Zink Paper vs. Instant Film
The IVY CLIQ uses ZINK technology to print photos. These adhesive-backed photo paper uses heat to colorize and develop the picture instantly. Though these papers are waterproof and smudge resistant, they are considered inferior to the Instax Mini’s instant films and are not liked by many. Long story short, the photos may appear grainy and blotchy. Interestingly, the Instax Mini 9’s photos tend to have an old-school vibe with a vignette border. However, the photos carry a lot of details with accurate color and exposure. The only thing that one needs to keep in mind is the exposure settings. Also, when it comes to the price of photo paper, a very basic two-pack for the Instax Mini 9 costs around $14.75. And at the same time, you can consider the accessories bundles that make for perfect gifting options. On the other hand, a packet of Canon ZINK photo paper pack (20 sheets) costs $9.98.
2. Charging Methods
Another point of difference is the charging method. The lithium-polymer batteries of the IVY CLIQ are chargeable via the micro USB port at the bottom. That makes charging and recharging a walk in the park. Charging at 5V/1A may take around 90 minutes, and each full charge yields you approximately 25 photos. On the other hand, the Instax Mini 9 is powered by two AA batteries. So you’ll need to keep the second set of battery always with you when the charge runs out. If we talk numbers, a new set of batteries can yield you around a hundred shots. In cases such as these, the best bet is to get yourself two sets of rechargeable batteries as a backup plan.
3. External Storage
Another advantage of the CLIQ camera is its external storage. It can store all your prints in an external MicroSD card, which makes it easier to transfer them to your PC or phone. As you may have expected, the Mini Instax 9 doesn’t have this feature. Here’s photos are printed automatically and instantly, with no option to transfer them outside the camera, just like traditional film cameras. Another exciting feature of the new instant camera by Canon is its Reprint button. As its name implies, it lets you reprint a particular photo. That is especially helpful during group shoots or family events when everyone wants to have a copy of the same print. Plus, there’s an additional button for selecting the print size.
4. Metering LEDs
Last but not least, the Instax Mini 9 comes with a set of five metering LED indicators at the front, near the lens. These lights indicate the ambient conditions such as Indoor, Cloudy, Sunny, and Very Sunny. And depending on these conditions, one of the LEDs will light up. So, all you need to do is adjust the lens manually and click away. Plus, there’s a Hi-Key mode that captures overexposed pictures for a slightly bright (but unique) look.
Capture Beautiful Moments
Both Canon and Fujifilm are generous with their starter bundle. While Canon ships 10 sheets of 2×3 photo paper, the Instax Mini 9 ships with two batteries, a Macro Lens adapter a 60-sheet film pack (optional). So which one will you get? The Canon IVY CLIQ packs all things interesting. It has a fairly modern look with a slim body and bundles a selfie mirror, status lights, and a reprint button. The only issue is its use of Zink photo paper. The Canon IVY CLIQ is available in three colors – Bumblebee Yellow, Seaside Blue, and Lady Bug Red, while the Instax Mini 9 is available in 5 colors – Cobalt Blue, Ice Blue, Flamingo Pink, Lime Green, and Smoky White. Next up: Wondering how to get AI camera features on your Android? Read the following article to know how you can utilize the AI camera apps. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
