Fujifilm's Instax Pal 2 adds tactile controls and direct USB-C phone transfer

Fujifilm has released a follow-up to its tiny digital camera, the Instax Pal, with the new Instax Pal 2 leaning further into being a standalone digital camera equipped with tactile controls and downloadable color filters.

Unlike the original's small, lump-like shape, the Pal 2 is larger and designed for horizontal use, following a design philosophy similar to the Kodak Charmera. At 37 x 42 x 92mm, it's too big to comfortably carry on a keychain, but it shares the same underlying idea: users are willing to trade image quality for a shooting experience that feels fun and spontaneous.

Specifications

The Pal 2 uses a 1/3.06-inch CMOS sensor that can switch between 10MP and 1MP photo modes, paired with an f/2.2 aperture, an LED flash, autofocus, and auto white balance. While smartphones can generally capture more detailed images, the Pal 2 targets people seeking a deliberately retro, throwback shooting experience.

The camera includes both an optical viewfinder on the back and a digital viewfinder on top, which also doubles as a navigation screen for its simple menu system. It offers a digital timer and a flipbook-style animation capture mode, though most usage is expected to center on its dial and lever controls — the lever selects frame styles matching Fujifilm's various Instax films, while the dial cycles through downloaded color filters and effects.

Photos can be transferred to a smartphone for further editing via a built-in USB-C connector, or wirelessly via Bluetooth, and can also be printed directly to an Instax Link printer.

According to a PetaPixel review, the camera's main drawback is a sluggish interface, though it was otherwise described as an enjoyable device.

The Fujifilm Instax Pal 2 is available for pre-order now for $170, in either all-white or a two-tone silver and black finish.