Leica Sofort 2 vs Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo: Detailed Review and Comparison

[@Sondercreative]

Amazon Fuji Mini Evo - geni.us/minievo Buy your film here - geni.us/minifilm B&H Fuji Mini Evo - bhpho.to/3Ghet5c Leica Sofort 2 - bhpho.to/49YT5zw Still the Best Instant Camera - geni.us/bestinstant

[@user-or7om6je3k]

I bought a mini evo for christmas just because I saw a Leica Sofort 2 ad and it felt immediately too pricey to test something new out. My main selling point was also that the fuji accessories are well established and available everywhere around me. I can constantly get 20 shots box for 15,95 in a drug store. On the Leica site I found 3 film packs and some frames...that's it. I might be wrong but that was my first impression with the Sofort 2.

[@nathansstuff1547]

It's all the same film. You're only paying more with the Leica stuff, cause it's Leica branded. It's still made by Fujifilm and it's still Instax Mini.

[@MarcioK]

A much needed comparison that I've saw nowhere. Very good. :)

[@binyu8288]

That vending machine photo, I like the Fujifilm one better although it's not accurate lol

[@tatsuyayamashita8381]

Thank you for the comparison. Fujis has also Zoom function. not Film dial but the flat dial next to 3 buttons.

[@YannaWanna]

You can zoom in on the Mini Evo. You press the arrows up & down to zoom or left and right to reposition the picture.

[@Sondercreative]

Thank you. There seem to be some difference between the first few models of the mini evo and current models.

[@i003410]

I am a leica shooter and I will never buy a Leica branded instax just for the sake of the logo (who needs “colour accuracy” in fun instant photos anyways?)

[@Sondercreative]

Completely fair :)

[@DUNGSTA]

So you're buying the fujifilm?

[@conejomartin]

Don’t care I’m getting the fujifilm cause I loved it 😍

[@joonlee8510]

You didnt discuss the Leica Fotos App, which is one of the best phone apps around. The Sofort 2 is really, IMHO, for Leica shooters who want to do a quick print of their shots, ie., a portable printer.

[@HermitSmoker]

Excellent video mate, I have to say for aesthetics I like the fujifilm, as far as photo results just because of the colour issues I have to say the Leica seems the best option, although I prefer the fujifims tendency to a darker exposure that's only good if the colour balance is correct.

[@phillipallaway7306]

The latest version of the Fuji is now fitted with USB-C apparently

[@WiiZKiiD23]

I keep seeing videos saying it doesn’t but mine has usb c.

[@yingthao6855]

The leica just looks expensive to be honest...😂 Aesthetic wise i think most people would go for the fuji but its all personal preference at the end of the day.

[@joefrese_ffp]

Personally, I love the look of the Fuji. Love the film profiles available on the camera and the images it produces just have that film feel. Nothing needs to be perfect, just unique. Great comparison video! Thank you!

[@daviddb4858]

Great comparison. I like the look of the Leica camera, because the Fuji reminds me of the old Kodak film cameras of a bygone era. Leica has better color science and better dynamic range. However, since these are "party cameras" and not professional cameras, does that really matter? Still, I vote for the Leica.

[@asphalt2air]

Great video 😊 Love the lofi btw. Just got the Fuji and really looking forward to playing with it. Thanks for the review!

[@MichaelMRoth]

If I understood you correctly, you said that the max. aperture would be smaller on the Leica: f/2.4 But 2.4 refers to the focal length, which is 28 mm full frame. So the max. aperture on the Leica is just the same like on the Fuji f/2.0.

[@Getorti]

1:50 This is not a f/2.4. They are both f/2. Printing on the Leica lens means 2,4mm lens which is equivalent to 28mm at full frame equivalent.

[@Sondercreative]

The specs that Leica provided stated f2.4 at the time. I have to go with what the manufacturer states.

[@josuerosado2136]

I have a Mini Evo and it does have a TRIPOD MOUNT and you can in fact ZOOM in the photos you’ve taken.

[@Sondercreative]

Apologies for missing that. Thank you for the correction.

[@Sondercreative]

You know, I just checked my camera and mine honestly does not have a tripod mount. I feel cheated haha.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@Sondercreative The Evo tripod mount is not on the base but on the side for portrait shots. I missed it too!

[@gameshoes]

I'm surprised that the Sofort 2 actually did something different to the images. I came in thinking it'd just be the interface that was different.

[@s_t_r_a_y_e_d]

for the vending machine.. I wonder if the Fujifilm programming is being told to simulate red halations

[@ECDPhotography]

The new black ones have USB-C. I just picked one up and was pleasantly surprised!

[@dcoleman3717]

The EVO requires you print an image before you can transfer it to their app; is this true for the Sofort 2? Also, I see that the Sofort uses the Leica Fotos app; advantages/disadvantages between the two apps? I enjoyed and learned from your video, thanks!

[@joonlee8510]

Yes, the Sofort2 is the same, unfortunately.

[@asiadaugherty]

There are ways around this for the Evo. You can insert an empty photo cartridge (look on KZbin for tutorial) and the camera will think it's printing something and send the photo to the app. The second option is just to get a memory card and get the photos off that way.

[@bethonos]

Just use sd card. No need to print anything.

[@rudypeal6489]

Wouldn't it be better to compare the physical film instead pf the digital images

[@plrrt]

isn't that just whitebalance, with the vending machine?

[@Sondercreative]

To an extent, yes but you have to remember, these cameras are not designed for people that know what white balance is. They’re general pop point and shoot cameras so need to be reviewed as such.

[@CREATIVEreviews]

I just realized that the big difference is the leica has a glass lens I saw the huge difference between the Instax 12 and a Lomography glass lens model and it’s a night and day difference

[@gameshoes]

Where does Leica say that it's a glass lens? Their specifications and descriptions on their website don't seem to indicate that at all (it doesn't say plastic either but I can't find such a description). I can't say that a glass lens is worth that much of a price hike but it is significant like you suggest.

[@p0xstep]

I'm new to this polaroid cameras, are the image quality is supposed to be that bad? Like worse than iphone 8 bad? Or that is what makes the polaroid aesthethic when printed?

[@tomkent4656]

They're not Polaroid cameras.

[@Fecho33]

Maybe the colors of the Fuji are not accurate but for some reason I like it more

[@Sondercreative]

That’s completely fair :)

[@angiesh6879]

At last, the video everyone has been asking for! I have been trying to justify the Sofort 2, and I think it’ll be on my list for the new year

[@Draconis8888]

Thank you! I was wondering if anyone would do this comparison. Much appreciated!

[@cyberla]

Great review! The Fuji might be purposely shooting the vintage desaturated look. Appreciate your post! 👊

[@e3grafx]

I guess you didn't look into it, but Fuji made both cameras. It work with Leica. Leica did not make it ground up. They based theirs on Fuji's tech.

[@Sondercreative]

I thought that was obvious. Leica doesn't have the capacity to manufacture these cameras and they need to work with Fuji in order to produce their instant cameras. It's the same as their previous Sofort model. This is why they're able to produce film packs with their brand on with Fujifilm. Leica does however control things when it comes to design and image processing.

[@DirectX3]

So it's just like the Leica and the Lumix in the early age.

[@urimasu1seller994]

I think the point is that fujifilm is not trying to take pictures like having an iPhone 12, but rather giving a vintage look.

[@Sondercreative]

I don't know cause none of the results look like they have a vintage style. I mean sure there are some over the top filters that you can use but vintage doesn't come to mind for me.

[@mariaaliaaguila8255]

What is missing in the leica sofort2 is the shoe mount.

[@iAngelEliza]

i have mini evo, and you do can zoom in into the pic, you just need to press up the menu :)

[@Sondercreative]

You're a star, Thank you :):)

[@mariaaliaaguila8255]

Also there is a tripod mount on the instax mini evo..

[@SethMcGinnis-y3l]

How does the Leica photo app compare? Does the Fuji allow you to print from your phone?

[@fellowcitizen]

Have you seen the Red Leica? Ironically, Leica product shots are very inconsistent and inaccurate in terms of colour; it's very annoying because I don't live near any Leica agencies. Thanks for clarifying the differences between these two. I can't decide between them either. P.S. Coincidentally, I thought of you earlier this evening as I watched Starship Troopers -- one of Rico's Roughnecks looks just like you. Maybe it's time for a RICOH's Roughnecks comparison...!

[@Eeveelyn]

Thank you, that was super interesting and helpful. I've been looking at both cameras and the first reviews made it kinda sound like the Sofort 2 was just a Mini Evo in a more expensive casing. Now I have a much better idea about the actual differences. I still have a question though, are the lens styles and film effects pretty much the same on both cameras? Particularly I'm wondering if one has better options for people who want to shoot in black and white.

[@nooddles12]

that was douche of the guy to interrupt your filming. i can say worse things but ill just leave it be.

[@Sondercreative]

It was private property they have every right. It's not a big deal lol but thank you for the sentiment.

[@sburns834]

You can zoom in on the mini evo by pressing the up and down button around the ok button.

[@ThePhotographersStone]

Just increase the color option on the Instax and it matches the Leica, The newer Instax Mini also uses USB C. The main difference is bastically a body cosmetic change and a slight increase in the color/contrast profile. Its the same camera.

[@Sondercreative]

That increases saturation not accuracy. The Leica isn't more saturated everywhere.

[@michaelhall859]

You can zoom in on the Fuji, it's in the settings buttons not scroll wheel..... Also, the leica shots all look over exposed don't you think

[@Sondercreative]

Not once printed. Im going to upload scans of the prints. The fuji prints look under exposed.

[@humanzee503]

Thank you so much for the comparison!!! I have been considering pulling the trigger on the Fujifilm to 1) get back in to phtotgraphy(an early passion of mine) and 2) document our first child’s early moments. I love the vintage look of the Fujifilm design but the modern sleekness of the Leica had me rethinking. But as soon as I saw the picture comparison of the two I knew the Fujifilm was the one. I love quirky representation and richness of the colors the Fujifilm creates. The Leica images seem flat and coldly digital. Also, there seems to be quite a bit of accessories and filters now available for the Fujifilm that makes it feel like it could be less of a novelty and more of a creative tool. Amazing vid!!! Cheers!

[@729mana]

I feel like the fuji is using its filter that it has in the cameras and the reason the bright pinkish purble turned to blue cause im an artist it seems the fuji reduces the color red for athletic purposes, as red is such a dominant color. I think the fuji looks better , no one wants over exposure especially if the flash is on durint house parties ect. No one is taking alot of landscape pics with these cameras but portraits to print for memorabilia so idk why take pics of a vending machine...you should of asked those people who you already got permission from to film and post if after choosing which one they think looks best/prefer that you take a portrait of them cause i know im probably not the only viewer that wishes you did.

[@mohammadmajed7548]

Wish you talked about the app and wish you have taken photos in bright sunlight im sure you have had another conclusion. Thanks for the video

[@petermendelson5839]

Is that a Peak Design anchor swinging from the Sofort 2 at one point in the video? I find the Sofort 2 very slippery so am looking at different wrist strap options but the hole for the strap is very small so my regular Peak anchors won’t fit. Btw I noticed the exposure issue too right away and adjusted exposure compensation downward during my first outing with the Sofort 2. So far I like it. Thanks for the video.

[@Sondercreative]

Not sure if it was the peak design strap. I should have looked more carefully at it. Leica had it attached when they sent the camera to me. I thought it was standard.

[@JoffreyAbainza]

Very helpful. Very informative. Impressive side by side comparison. I appreciate all the work you put into this. Thank you. I prefer the photos coming from the Leica. Thanks.

[@antzpantz]

lol, did someone interrupt you while you were talking about the film cartridges?!

[@Sondercreative]

Yep, we got kicked out haha.

[@DrLuisAlbertoParra]

Because you were filming?

[@Sondercreative]

@@DrLuisAlbertoParra yes, but it’s not a big deal they have every right to stop us filming on their premises.

[@Petitephysiquebarre]

I see that the leica costs teice as much as mini evo (in my local currency, at least). This was an interesting video but i don't think the leica would ever be in my budget 😅 its fun to see the shots from the two cameras side by side though!

[@irliey1]

Fair enough. Fujifilm is famous for artistic photos & vintage effect. I don’t think people will consider polaroid for accuracy.

[@davevayn]

Love the Fuji and when you said ugly images I actually preferred the colours 😂 the pink is nice, accurate is nice but don’t forget that a lot of vintage enthusiasts actually don’t like the clean true to life look so I don’t think the colours matter too much. I think it was because of that particular light source which has that flashing LED, sometimes when you film them you have a flicker in the video which is normal… those cameras just can’t capture it properly due to their small sensor. It’s similar to when you try to photograph the moon, even on X series cams it doesn’t always work but it adds nostalgia and a different vibe. I think in daylight the Fuji would come much closer and for a lot of flash images to get that Polaroid vibe I don’t think the colours matter. It depends on a particular photo I guess and what you want to highlight but I will probably use a ton of monochrome with it. I love colours a lot more and shot on X100V before but with this now being my main camera I just want to get rid of editing it’s just so time consuming. Fuji has always been really good with colour and so far from what I printed on mini film with a different instant camera it represents their vintage aesthetic well.

[@JittikMieger]

The Leica's exterior is different, it has the red dot, it'll bump the ISO up a tad/ stop, which isn't an issue when printing the images from the device, but make them look worse than the Fujifilm on a monitor/TV because of the tiny sensor. The Leica has different/ better colour science/ white balance and has the Leica app instead of the Fuji one and for that you'll pay €200,- more... That's quite the price gap IMHO.

[@gradywilson9213]

Hey how did you get Taylor Swift 😊 compare camera styles ?. The first girl in red , and brown is almost a double. By the way your review is how reviews should be, to the point simple to understand. I personally like Fuji's color better with some exceptions the vending machine one of them. These are not professional cameras, so depending on how deep are your pockets, can't go wrong with either one. The Fuji is without a doubt esthetically better looking, with a faster lens.

[@wingrider2789]

I have the Fuji Instax and enjoy it but I am "attracted' to the Leica by its design! Thanks for this review....

[@christinetaylor2716]

on the leica can you save pics to your phone to share without physically printing the photo?

[@everyangles]

I was looking for this review. Thanks for doing the comparison and I can makeup my mind now.

[@Sondercreative]

Only managed to get hold of the Sofort last week. Im glad you found the video helpful :).

[@everyangles]

@@Sondercreative I like the exposure in the Leica. We are playing with this kind of cameras is to print out instantly. On screen, the digital files may not be the way you like, ISO is higher than the evo but when you are printing out at the end, that is better. Also the accuracy of the colour. Polaroid and Instax film cameras….I have all of them, they are all too dark on the print out. If you are taking Fujifilm instax mini evo to fix the exposure then print. I have my phone and the Instax SP2 printer. But that is not the same fun to just shoot and print out.

[@jamesmonahan9408]

not sure if anyone said it but my EVO has a tripod mount. It's on the side by the printer lever.

[@smallcloudstudio]

I'd rather buy Fujifilm with more films lol.

[@22welcome]

Thank you so much for that comparison between Fuji and Leica , I have Fuji camera and yesterday I saw the Leica camera, I thing I will upgrade 😉

[@lukuxider2000]

But F2 is smaller than F2.4 ! 🤔

[@Sondercreative]

Aperture works in reverse. The smaller the number the larger the aperture. So an f1 lens would be huge in comparison to an f/8 lens with the same focal length.

[@lukuxider2000]

@@Sondercreativeahh yea right - my bad

[@lukuxider2000]

@@Sondercreative but any way - I think lenses are the same - F2 - 28 mm in 35mm film equivalent

[@lizzardboy802]

In mini eco does have a tripod mount and you can zoom in on photos

[@michaelbell75]

Thanks but why would you compare two instant (digital) film cameras with tiny little sensors at night? Thats like the worst conditions you could get. Both look terrible to be honest.

[@Sondercreative]

It’s a testing condition. Many people have cameras with them in the evening and demonstrating image quality in tougher scenarios shows people the limits and capabilities.

[@mikesmith5389]

You said you've had your Instax for a couple of years and I cant help but wonder if that represents the latest models. I've just purchased a new Mini Evo and I find the colours extremely accurate but then I usually use vivid mode for more saturation and colour accuracy isn't such a big deal, sharpness and exposure are more important. I also find the Evo tends to slightly over expose and I usually shoot -1/3 to compensate. Your examples showed the opposite so again maybe calibration issues. I can also zoom in on images and crop before printing which is something you had issues with. I'm happy with the camera, it does whst it's meant to do and produces great little prints that are way better than the Instax analogue cameras.

[@Sondercreative]

@@mikesmith5389 you make some good points. Thank you.

[@kevinshum1087]

To zoom in on the fuji, while viewing your photos, just press the up button on the dpad.

[@TheJLEE97]

So, the Leica ticket is $224.13.

[@Sondercreative]

I think it's a little more more than that. Here in the UK I believe it retails for £350.00 and it's priced at $389.00 in the US.

[@TheJLEE97]

​@@SondercreativeYou're really answering this seriously lol

[@Sondercreative]

@@TheJLEE97 I don’t work for Leica or Fuji. I’m just reviewing their cameras. Why would I not answer that correctly and properly?

[@andrewsanchez9618]

I actually like the Fuji better

[@coralof]

On the Fuji, you can zoom with the directional pad. If holding the camera vertically, up and down on the d-pad are zoom, and left to right move between images. The same zoom controls are used in the live view mode for digital zoom.

[@Sondercreative]

Thank you :)

[@conneradamek474]

It's the same camera. With enough time and resources I promise you could find the Chinese factory that makes the Fujifilm one and you will see the Leica one's coming out of that same loading dock...

[@Sondercreative]

It does seem to be the same camera but image processing is different. Build is different too. However, Fujifilm do indeed manufacture it.

[@funghoifungjason9036]

This is such an incomplete review when you are not able to compare the software linking the sofort with the fotos app and the evo with the fuji app.

[@Sondercreative]

Sorry, we haven’t done reviews where we look at the software stuff soo far. We will try to do that in the future.

[@chazznl8823]

Nothing beats an evo

[@OswaldoLafee]

I def Leica the Fuji

[@untitledtitle_9228]

By the way, you can manually change exposure and White Balance on the EVO

[@Sondercreative]

Thank you :)

[@mrtecostudio]

I wonder if the ‘color issue’ with the vending machine was because of the ‘filters’ of the Evo.

[@Sondercreative]

No filters used on any camera

[@Nasywa-og4jc]

you can zoom in i have a mini evo and there is a zoom option

[@Isa-dh2bj]

ISO 400 X ISO 800 .... ISO 125 X ISO160... ISO 200 X ISO 320.. Cleary it'll not be the same

[@Isa-dh2bj]

and 1/30 x 1/100.. for sure it'll be lighter .. nothing weird there

[@Sondercreative]

That point was about how each camera meters slightly differently. Leica meters to shoot a little brighter than Fujifilm does.

[@grjlynch]

Great video thanks, I have a Q3 and and EVO. If I had not bought th eEvo, I might have bought the Sofort because of the slight improvements and I prefer the look of the Leica (in black). As the are so close in spec and the Evo os so much cheaper however, I think I will stick with the Evo.

[@lukuxider2000]

Nice comparison 👍

[@miniteddy5555]

Love this comparison vid. Very helpful in deciding which one works for us more 👍

[@JMSobrevilla]

On the vending machine comparison, the colors look that way because of the white balance.

[@Sondercreative]

Yes and Leica did a better job.

[@JMSobrevilla]

@@Sondercreative No, the Leica is just a rebranded version of the Fujifilm. They have the same internals when you compare it to the recently released Type-C version of the Mini Evo.

[@Sondercreative]

@@JMSobrevilla yet how they shoot and process images are different. This wasn’t based on a single shoot this was over a period of shooting there was a distinct difference in how each managed colour.

[@GilbertTang]

The Evo comes in USB-C as well, except it's for units produced since the brown version released. It's still very confusing, as accurate information varies widely. There are black ones out there with USB-C.

[@joshuacamberos8193]

I have a black one with usb-c can confirm

[@jameschan9307]

I just bought my first Instax Mini Evo from Tokyo while I’m here, and I can also confirm my black is USB-C ready. There’s definitely a need for Fujifilm to market their Mini Evo slightly better; what a disservice to a fantastic product.

[@georgewidmeriv701]

Now that I know I can use the Instax film with the Sofort 2 with no issues I am sold on the Leica.

[@Sondercreative]

It's the same film so no issues whatsoever :).

[@georgewidmeriv701]

@@Sondercreative Thanks again, great video. I'll be getting one for my next holiday.

[@georgewidmeriv701]

@@Sondercreative Is the a max size SDHC card you can utilize with the Leica? I'm thinking an 8 gig should be sufficient for this type of camera.

[@ademince2505]

nice video mate

[@WiiZKiiD23]

My mini Evo has USB C

[@Sondercreative]

Early models didn’t have that and Fuji quietly updated new versions.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

OK fuji now make a insax wide film version

[@maxcoleman6104]

i've been using the evo for about 9 months now and i hate it. all the colors come out very dark, brown, and underexposed. been using instax cameras for over 13 years and this evo has by far the worst quality prints of any fujifilm ive used so far

[@michaelst-amour3264]

Same here

[@manicmuffin]

Thanks for the great comparison between the two! 📷

[@ManuelBianchiBooks]

Very interesting comparison. I always thought it's just the same, but different branding. Apparently there are some advantages with the Leica. I would take it in red though, that really pops. ;-)

[@beldron]

Maybe the hardware is similar but Leica has made its own software. Just a guess.

[@DGimbickis]

These cameras such a bullshit. It would make sense if these cameras be made by some noname or a startup brand. But Leica and Fuji....come on

[@game2572]

Which instant film camera do you like

[@khairulns8495]

now i know way leica more expancive

[@FinnishSuperSomebody]

Thanks for the excellent video! So all the reddit "knowledge" in its echochambers how these are same camera with just different shell and different price is just wrong, there is differences as we can see on those photos you shared here. Which one is better is surely subjective, but the claim that there is no difference and it is same camera is just wrong. No surprise tho, many times in Reddit it just feels like an echo chamber where are opinions taken as a fact without testing if those are facts or not :)

[@user-cw4bs8ub2b]

Can you use the leica as a printer for smartphone’s?

[@Sondercreative]

Yes you can.

[@ebreevephoto]

Leica $369 and the Fuji is $322 - so glad I bought the Leica for the better color and other features...

[@nghiadao96]

Where did you search for the price though? The price for the fuji recently is around 250$ on amazon and I can buy it less than 200$ in the Czech Republic.

[@portabee]

Fuji all the way. Looks and specs.

[@eduardoyap4740]

I like the taste of curry 🍛.

[@Sondercreative]

??

[@MrDwightsimon]

​@Sondercreative he's calling you a hindu 😂

[@Sondercreative]

@@MrDwightsimon Oh so he's a moron haha