Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
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Instax Wide format | ~55mm equiv. F14 lens | Auto exposure control
What we like:
- Largest Instax film format
- Easy-to-use
- Offers exposure compensation
- Runs on AA batteries
What we don't:
- Bulky
- No way to turn off flash
- No cool creative modes
- No built-in close-up/selfie mode
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is the brand's only camera to utilize Instax Wide film, the largest of the Instax formats. The Wide 300 doesn't have a ton of features, but it's very simple to use.
The Wide 300 is large and chunky so don't expect it to fit in a small bag or purse. It is however quite comfortable to use thanks to a substantial grip. The shutter is located on top of the camera and is easy to access. The camera is made of plastic, but has solid build quality and is powered by four AA batteries which should provide power for about 100 shots (10 film packs).
The Wide 300 doesn't have a ton of features, but overall, is very simple to use
Special features are scant. The camera does ship with an attachable close-up lens, which can get you about 40cm / 15" away. The tripod socket on the body would be useful for group photos, though there is no self timer. There is a small LCD window on back that indicates the shots left and the flash mode.
The Wide 300 has automatic exposure controls with a variable speed shutter. The only manual override is to select either the Lighten or Darken mode which will bias the exposure by 2/3rd-stop. The camera has two motor-driven focus positions, one for 0.9 - 3 m (3 - 10 ft) and one for 3 m / 10 ft to infinity. The flash also has a max range of 3 m / 10 ft and can't be manually disengaged (though it tends to not fire in daylight).
The Instax Wide camera market is still young and offerings are limited to just a few models. Of those currently available, we feel the Wide 300 has the best balance of ease-of-use, build quality and price. But the sheer size means carrying it around is an undertaking - casual users would be better off with one of the many Instax Mini models. If you seek the largest photos Instax has to offer, the Wide 300 is a solid option.
