TechRadar Verdict
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is a capable successor to the Wide 300 model, but with a decade in between the two I had hoped for some more exciting feature upgrades and more than one choice of color at the very least. The camera is big and bulky, with a few questionable design elements that make it appear cheap. The print quality is up to the usual Instax standards, and it’s great for those who like capturing wider shots; I found it wasn’t the best for portrait shots and selfies, although the new macro lens attachment does improve this. Overall, if you can get past the dull green aesthetic and can dare to be seen with it in public, then it’s a winner.
Creates wider photos and prints
Easy to operate
Reasonably priced
Self-timer is useful
Uses batteries
Not the prettiest Instax
Selfies are a struggle
Film costs are still high
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Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: One-minute review
TheFujifilmInstax Wide 400 is one of thebest instant camerasfor casual photographers who like the appeal of wider prints. It’s ideal for landscape photographers and camping trips especially, with the wider format able to capture much more in the frame than other popular Instax Mini cameras, although be prepared to compromise when it comes to portraits.
Unlike other Instax cameras the Wide 400 doesn’t have a built-in selfie mirror, and instead comes with a fiddly mirror attachment that doubles up as a macro lens. This can be clipped onto the Wide 400’s lens when you want to take a selfie or portrait of a subject, or anything that’s roughly 40-50cm away from the end of the lens.
During testing, I found the focusing process takes a bit of getting used to, but once you grasp it, and with the help of the enhanced viewfinder and target marker, it can capture pretty sharp shots. The biggest pain points with the Instax Wide 400 are the design and lack of features. Not much has been tweaked from the Wide 300 model other than the addition of the self-timer (which is admittedly very handy) and enhanced viewfinder, but otherwise, it has no modern digital elements like the Instax EVO or Mini 99.
As for the design, the Wide 400 can withstand a lot thanks to its rugged and textured build, and it’s very grippy too. With that said, it does feel larger and heavier than necessary, and what was Instax thinking with that color? I think it’s one of the worst-looking instant cameras on the market (sorry Instax), and frankly I felt a little embarrassed to shoot with it in public. However, if you can get past the basic features and ‘army-green’ finish, it could be a worthwhile addition to your analog camera collection, and the print quality is good.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: Price and availability
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is available for $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.99, which I think is a fair price compared with other Instax models. The Instax Square SQ40 retails at the same price, and other models are only marginally more affordable with similar features – you can check out more options in ourbest Instax Mini pricesround-up .
However, a wide-format competitor such as the Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide (priced at $169 /£149) might offer more for your money in terms of creative control, with options for multiple exposure and optional flash – and it takes Instax Wide film too. There’s also the retro Instax 500AF to consider if you can find one, which Redditers seem to be raving about lately.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: design
The Instax Wide 400 might not be the prettiest Instax on the market, but the design has certainly improved since the Wide 300 model, with the sticky-out viewfinder ditched in favor of a more appealing and clean-cut build. The body is still made from a smooth plastic, which doesn’t help it fit in very well among its more premium-looking Instax cousins, and while the textures around the lens barrel and battery compartment are great for grip, I think it makes the camera look a little juvenile.
As for the general design, the Instax Wide 400 is rugged, heavy, and bulky. It’s not until you get this camera in your hands and lay eyes on it that you realize just how big and wide it is. I would say that my hands are medium-sized, so I’m not sure if the hands-on images in this review are doing it justice. Or maybe it’s because I’m used to handling my Instax Mini 40 and Mini 99 models that this camera feels so abnormally large to me.
There’s no built-in selfie mirror but, like the Instax Wide 300, the Instax Wide 400 comes with a clip-on macro lens attachment that has a mirror poking out of the side. With this camera being so large I don’t think it would have taken much to include a built-in selfie mirror on the lens itself, but it’s better to have one as an accessory than not at all.
Speaking of accessories, there’s also a new angle-adjustment accessory that comes with the Wide 400. This comprises two black plastic wedges of different sizes on a separate strap (i.e., not the main camera strap) which you can place under the camera to tilt it upwards when it’s placed on a surface for selfies or group shots. This worked quite well when I tested it, and it’s a clever method that saves you from having to look for handy objects on which to prop the camera.
Possibly my biggest gripe with the design of the Instax Wide 400 is that it’s only available in a single color option, at least for now – and what was Instax thinking with that awful green shade? It’s worth mentioning that a lot of the promotional images make this camera appear more teal, but in reality it’s green, and a slightly dull ‘army green’ at that. Yet, despite the green finish, the Instax Wide 400 could also pass as a kid’s camera from a distance.
I’ve never been self-conscious walking around with a camera before, but the Wide 400 is so large and unappealing that it draws a lot of attention to itself, and to whoever’s holding it, and I felt a little embarrassed taking it out to my local seaside town during testing. I guess if you think of the Wide 400 as a camera that’s intended for outdoorsy types, landscape photographers, and camping trips, then the green color choice makes a bit more sense than say, bright pink.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: Performance
I thoroughly enjoyed my time testing the new Instax Wide 400 camera, and I certainly get the appeal of wider-format film (which is double the width of two Instax Mini prints) when it comes to landscape photography and capturing group selfies. The camera takes really nice-looking photos in normal mode, as well as in landscape mode, and you can expect the usual Instax quality in the prints produced.
However, I found that using this camera for self-portraits and with close-up subjects is where its performance faltered. The included clip-on lens attachment shortens the focus range of the camera to 40-50cm, and is intended for taking photos of closer subjects as well as self-portraits atarm’s length. With this in mind, I used my dog Tilly as my test subject for a few shots, and found that it was very hit-and-miss with the focus (see the sample images below).
I tried to capture the same shot a few times by switching up the distance between me and Tilly, while using the upgraded viewfinder and target spot to keep her center frame. It was difficult to estimate the distance between myself and Tilly, and I took a photo in normal mode without the lens attachment for comparison, but all that was in focus was the background behind her. In short: when used correctly, the camera plus lens attachment can produce very sharp results, but it will take some experimentation, and a fair few failed prints, before you get the hang of it.
As for selfies, these were again very tricky to master using the selfie mirror and close-up lens attachment. I also found during testing that my arms just weren’t long enough to hold the camera in front of me and press the shutter while keeping my face in frame, which in hindsight, is probably why Instax chose to add the self-timer feature, and has heavily pitched the Wide 400 as a camera for group selfie shots using some kind of stable surface or tripod.
The self-timer is definitely the most useful feature on the camera, and the only ‘modern’ upgrade. The one-button camera design with automatic exposure is great for beginners and very user-friendly, although it doesn’t offer any real benefit for photographers who like to take control of the shot and make adjustments to manual exposure. This is a little disappointing, given that most new products from Instax allow for some creative control and experimentation.
For example, the latestInstax mini 99camera is the most advanced Instax to date, with fancy new exposure control dials, a double exposure feature, and unique light leak filters. TheInstax mini EVO, meanwhile, is an excellent hybrid instant camera, blurring the lines between digital and analogue.
I was hoping Instax might bring these new tools to formats other than the Instax Mini series, but that’s not the case here. Even adding a bulb mode, or the option to toggle the flash without having to cover it with your finger, would have been useful.
I also found that this camera didn’t perform as well in darker conditions, even when subjects were well-lit and when using the flash. I shot a photo of some sunflowers in a vase in my conservatory when the room was still very light, and the print came out dark. I took the same image the following morning and it was much brighter. I didn’t realize this would have such a big impact, as shown in the images below.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: Sample images
It’s important to recognize that this is not a camera for serious photographers, so if you’re looking for high-res studio-quality images then look elsewhere. But if you’re just after a bit of fun, and an affordable way to share physical memories and keepsakes with others, then the Instax Wide ticks a lot of boxes.
Should I buy the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400?
Buy it if…
You love wider prints!The credit card-sized Instax Mini prints are great for most people, but if you’re serious about showing off your photo then there’s nothing like shooting on wider-format film to capture a scene in its entirety.
You’re an outdoorsy adventurerThe Instax Wide 400 might look very out of place in the city or at the seaside, but in a forest? Bingo! It’s no secret that I find this camera a little ugly, but if you’re out in the wilderness then who cares? And you might blend in better with the greenery.
You love the retro analogue vibeInstant analogue cameras aren’t for everyone. But those who appreciate the art and nostalgia behind it will love the gimmick of having an image develop before your eyes.
Don’t buy it if…
You hate spending money on filmInstant cameras aren’t just a one-off purchase, they’re an investment. If you intend to keep using your camera then you’ll need to ensure that your film supply is stocked up too. Instax film, and camera film in general, is very expensive. So keep this in mind.
You like being in controlIf you’re a photographer who likes to be in complete control of the look of your images, then instant photography might not be for you. The Mini 99 model offers a bit more flexibility with filters and dials, and the Instax EVO lets you select which images to print, saving film costs too. These might be better options to consider if you’re a little picky.
You’re big into social mediaPrinted photos make for great collages, and you can share them on social media too, but prepare to compromise on quality if you plan to convert your print into a digital image. You can scan your prints using the INSTAX UP! app, but keep in mind that social media tends to favor portrait or square-oriented images over wider shots.
How I tested the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400:
I used the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 for a few weeks, and I felt that I really put this camera through its paces. I aimed to test out the quality of the prints produced in a variety of conditions, including different lighting setups, alternating weather conditions, varied subject matter, with and without flash by covering it with my finger, and for both selfies and group photos.
I mainly tested the performance of this camera by venturing around my local high street and seaside resort in the south-west of England, capturing a mix of landscape and portrait images. It wasn’t all about the print quality though, as I also wanted to test the camera’s handling and user-friendliness.
Beth kicked off her journalistic career writing for Digital Camera World and has since moved over to our sister site, Creative Bloq, where she covers all things tech, gaming, photography, and 3D printing. With a degree in Music Journalism and a Masters in Photography, Beth loves getting to tinker with new cameras and you’ll most likely find her photographing local shows under the alias Bethshootsbands. She also dabbles in cosplay photography, bringing comic book fantasies to life, and loves getting to write about anything Marvel or Pokémon-related when the opportunity arises. Beth shoots with a Canon 5DS and Sony A7III as her go-to setup.
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