When Fujifilm introduced the Instax Mini 40, it seemed like an upgrade over the Instax Mini 11. There’s at least a one-year gap between their release dates, and the Mini 40 launched with a slightly higher price tag too. In other words, there were some convincing signs that pointed to a couple of improvements here and there. However, that’s hardly the case here.
Under the hood, these instant cameras are more or less the same. The main difference is in their appearance, but that doesn’t paint the whole story.
Instax Mini 11 vs 40 Comparison Chart
| Model | Instax Mini 11 | Instax Mini 40 |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon.com | Check Price at Amazon.com |
| Film | Mini Film Film: 86mm x 54mm Image: 62mm x 46mm | Mini Film Film: 86mm x 54mm Image: 62mm x 46mm |
| Shutter Speed | 1/2 to 1/250 second | 1/2 to 1/250 second |
| Focus Range | Standard: 0.3m and beyond Selfie Mode: 0.3m to 0.5m | Standard: 0.3m and beyond Selfie Mode: 0.3m to 0.5m |
| Viewfinder | Optical, 0.37x magnification | Optical, 0.37x magnification |
| Shooting Modes | Auto Exposure, Flash, Selfie Mode, Macro Mode | Auto Exposure, Flash, Selfie Mode, Macro Mode |
| Film Developing Time | Approximately 90 seconds | Approximately 90 seconds |
| Battery | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
| Included Accessories | 2 x shutter button covers, handstrap | Handstrap |
| Weight | 293g | 330g |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 121.2mm x 107.6mm x 67.3mm | 121mm x 104mm x 65mm |
| Colors | Sky Blue, Blush Pink, Charcoal Gray, Ice White, Lilac Purple | Black |
Design
The Instax Mini 11 sports a familiar plastic build, while the Instax Mini 40 has a vintage look reminiscent of Fujifilm’s classic instant cameras.
To kick things off, the Instax Mini 11 has that recognizable bright plastic look that the lineup is known for. It’s lightweight at 293g and has curves that make for an ergonomic design so it’s easy to hold. For the record, it measures 121.2mm x 107.6mm x 67.3mm in height, width and depth, respectively.
In comparison, the Instax Mini 40 is boxier and boasts a vintage design that obviously takes cues from Fujifilm’s classic cameras. Instead of pastel-colored plastic, it has black faux leather, and it’s accentuated with a silver trim. Also, it’s heavier at 330g, but it’s more compact, coming in at 121mm x 104mm x 65mm.
The Instax Mini 11 offers more in terms of personalization. It’s available in Sky Blue, Blush Pink, Charcoal Gray, Ice White and Lilac Purple. On top of that, Fujifilm throws in two shutter button covers, one of which has a jewel-like form factor. Meanwhile, the Instax Mini 40 only comes in Black, as suggested earlier. It doesn’t include any shutter button cover either.
Performance
Both the Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 40 share the same specs.
Going by their specs, the Instax Mini 40 could be considered as a repackaged version of the Instax Mini 11 in a retro body. That’s because they’re pretty much identical when it comes to performance.
For starters, they have the same shutter speed of 1/2 to 1/250 second, focus range that begins at 0.3m, optical viewfinder with 0.37x magnification and film developing time of approximately 90 seconds. Both even use two AA batteries, meaning that their battery life is about the same.
Needless to say, these instant cameras both use Fujifilm’s Mini Film. For the uninitiated, it measures 86mm x 54mm, where the image size is 62mm x 46mm.
Features
Auto Exposure, Flash, Selfie Mode, Macro Mode—the Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 40 have the same shooting modes.
The Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 40 have the same number of shooting modes and the same kinds too. First off, there’s Auto Exposure that basically takes the guesswork out of snapping a clear shot. Then there’s the Flash setting with a constant firing flash.
As its name suggests, the Selfie Mode lets you take a selfie, which has a 0.3m to 0.5m focus range. To use this feature, all you have to do is pull the rim of the lens until you see the written “Selfie On” text on top. After that, it’s all a matter of framing your shot, and it’s a cinch too, thanks to a tiny built-in mirror on the front.
Last but not least, both instant cameras also have Macro Mode. Put simply, this lets you take a sharp close-up shot of whatever you’re taking a picture of.
Verdict
Choosing between the Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 40 is a matter of choosing which design you prefer.
Since the Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 40 are practically the same, there’s no clear winner here. Again, the difference is in their appearance. The former is more colorful with a lightweight plastic build, while the latter has a classic, vintage design.
For that reason, you can base your decision on which one looks better to you. But it should be mentioned that the Instax Mini 40 is a bit more expensive, so if budget is tight, then the Instax Mini 11 may be the better pick.
FAQs
If you’re a fan of Fujifilm’s classic instant cameras, then the Instax Mini 40 is worth getting because of its retro look. It also has plenty of shooting modes, such as Selfie Mode and Macro Mode, to name a few.
While the Instax Mini 11 has a plastic and colorful build, the Instax Mini 40 has faux leather and silver accents with a vintage design.
Not really. Both instant cameras have the same specs, features and shooting modes, and the difference is mainly in their design.
The Instax Mini 40 uses Mini Film.