Instax Pal 2 Adds a Screen and Viewfinder to Fujifilm’s Tiny Camera

The original Instax Pal had a simple idea: make a camera small enough to carry almost without thinking about it. Fujifilm is keeping that tiny footprint for the Instax Pal 2, but adding something the first model notably lacked: a screen for checking your shots.

The Instax Pal 2 keeps the palm sized body of its predecessor while adding a top mounted monitor, a viewfinder, and physical controls. Fujifilm also says the new model improves image quality, giving the tiny digital camera a slightly more traditional shooting experience.

A tiny camera gets a screen

The original Instax Pal launched in October 2023 as the first Instax camera designed specifically for taking digital photographs rather than combining a digital camera with an instant printer.

Its appeal came partly from its size. The camera could be carried around easily and used from unusual angles, encouraging a more spontaneous approach to photography.

The Pal 2 keeps that compact form but adds a top mounted monitor. This lets photographers check captured images immediately instead of relying on a smartphone or simply trusting the camera.

Fujifilm has not yet provided detailed specifications for the display, including its size or resolution.

Physical controls bring back the camera feel

The Pal 2 also adds a viewfinder, control dial and lever. Those additions give the tiny camera more physical interaction than the original Pal.

That could make a difference for people who enjoy the act of using a dedicated camera but do not want to carry a conventional compact camera. A viewfinder can also make shooting from certain angles more deliberate, while the dial and lever provide controls that can be operated without navigating a touchscreen.

Fujifilm has not detailed exactly what functions the new controls perform, so it remains unclear how much manual control the Pal 2 actually offers. The company does say the camera has improved image quality compared with the original Pal, with better reproduction of subjects and the atmosphere of each scene.

Maybe small cameras are getting fun again

The Pal 2 sits in an interesting part of the camera market. It is not trying to compete with interchangeable lens cameras or smartphone cameras on specifications. Instead, its appeal is built around being small enough to take almost anywhere.

That philosophy also fits with the recent interest in cameras that make photography feel more physical and deliberate. Fujifilm’s Instax line has traditionally focused on the experience surrounding a photograph, while products such as the X half have similarly leaned into the act of taking pictures.

The Pal 2 takes a different route by keeping the camera extremely small while adding just enough hardware to make shooting feel more like using a conventional camera.

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