The Instax Wide 400 takes the simplicity of instant photography and literally expands it

In an increasingly digital world driven by artificial intelligence, instant analog film and old-fashioned cameras remain popular, fueled by a mixture of nostalgia and magic. Instant cameras, in particular, are characterized by their simplicity and an experience that has remained largely unchanged over time.

Fujifilm’s $175 Instax Wide 400 takes the familiar instant photography experience and extends it to a wider format. As someone who appreciates simple, easy-to-use instant cameras and often shoots with the Instax Square, I was interested in trying out a model that offered larger prints and support for landscape photography.

The Instax Wide 400 is designed for capturing group shots, stunning landscapes, and moments when fitting more of the scene into the frame really matters. It produces 62 x 99mm prints, almost twice the size of Instax Mini photos, giving you more space to work with in each shot.

As a simple point-and-shoot camera, it requires no previous photography experience and is designed to be easy and intuitive to use. Its appeal lies in fun and simplicity rather than advanced controls.

With its one-button design, the camera offers no manual exposure control. It manages flash, focus and other settings automatically, allowing you to simply frame the photo and take the shot.

When lighting is ideal, images print with beautiful colors and a good amount of detail with some added saturation. I was very impressed with the quality as it was able to capture accurate colors and distant details.

However, the camera’s simplicity has some trade-offs because there’s not much you can do to make photos brighter if you’re not in an ideal lighting situation. I ended up with some less-than-perfect shots, because in scenes with strong contrast, like dark trees against a bright sky, details tend to blur together.

The rest of the camera is equally clear. To turn on the camera, rotate the lens counterclockwise. The first click activates close-up mode for subjects about 0.9 to three meters away. Turning it again switches to landscape mode for targets beyond three metres. Rotating the lens clockwise turns the camera off.

The camera comes with a telephoto lens that is mounted on the front for taking close-up shots. I found that the attachment was good at helping avoid focus issues and blur when taking close-ups.

Loading the cartridge is simple, with guidelines to help you align it correctly in the camera. The door closes securely using a twist lock that closes with a latch. There is also a small indicator on the back that shows how much film is left.

At 162mm x 98mm x 123mm and weighing 1.4 pounds, the camera is quite large. It’s noticeably larger than the Instax Mini cameras and Instax Square models. However, I wasn’t surprised by the size, as it stands to reason that larger photos would require a larger camera.

However, it’s not something you want to carry without a bag, and while the shoulder strap helps, I was still very aware of it and careful not to bump it into people or objects in crowded places. Although Instax offers a camera case sold separately, I didn’t receive one alongside my review unit, so I can’t speak to it.

Since it’s a bit bulky, it’s very noticeable, and it ended up attracting the attention of a few people when I was testing it. One employee at a downtown gelato shop even stopped by to compliment it, calling it a “great looking camera.”

This kind of attention is part of the appeal.

The camera’s self-timer is a great feature, because it makes it possible to include everyone in the shot without having someone press the shutter button. It works by pressing a lever on the side and choosing one of four durations ranging from 2 seconds to 10 seconds. The camera emits a ticking sound to indicate that the timer is active, and red lights provide a visual countdown.

If you don’t have a tripod, the camera strap includes two angle adjustment attachments that can help support your camera and place it on a flat surface. To use one, slide it into the indented space on the underside of the camera, set the self-timer, then return to the frame.

Camera film is available in standard white frame, black frame, metallic border, and monochrome. Fujifilm sent me standard white film alongside my review unit, which is the film I used for this review. Each box of films comes with 20 sheets and is priced between $25 and $28.

As for colors, the Instax Wide 400 comes in two options: green and dark black. As someone who loves a good shade of green, I liked that the color of the camera gave it a more fun and playful look.

Overall, I think this camera is a great choice for people of all ages, because it delivers high-quality images while still being simple enough for kids and teens who are just starting out with photography.