Tom’s Guide Verdict
A Leica for less?
With 100 different creative looks, the camera takes great photos too.
However, internal memory and photo transfer capabilities are limited, and its very expensive.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
As a reviews writer at Toms Guide, though, I get to test some of thebest instant camerasaround.
I got to test the Leica Sofort 2 recently and I get the hype now.
You get access to 100 different effect combinations so the creative possibilities are limitless.
And it suffers from the Instax mini Evos drawbacks too namely limited internal memory and photo transfer capabilities.
Is this the best choice for you?
Read my full Leica Sofort 2 review to find out.
On the other hand, its the cheapest Leica camera money can buy.
Its available in three lush colors too: red, white, and black.
There arent many cameras in the same price range as the Sofort 2.
Does the Sofort 2, then, justify its price?
Im not entirely convinced, as the two cameras are near-identical.
Basically, this comes down to: are you willing to pay extra to be seen using a Leica?
Its clean thanks to the premium-feeling glossy glass on the front and rear, and it looks expensive.
This is a great instant camera to go traveling with, thanks to its compact body.
It measures 4.84 x 3.38 x 1.73 inches so I could easily slip it into my winter coats pocket.
However, it is slightly heavier than the Instax mini Evo, which weighs 10.05 ounces.
Another thing I love about the Sofort 2 is the magnetic lens cap.
Simply pop it onto the lens and the cap magnetically snaps firmly into place, which feels very satisfying.
This means that the camera is well-suited for group portraits, landscapes and selfies.
It has a variable aperture of f/2 to f/16 which the camera automatically adjusts.
Lets talk about the front first.
Youll find the shutter button right above the lens, which gives good tactile feedback when pressed.
Now to the Sofort 2s top plate.
Combine these with the 10 lens effects and you get 100 creative combinations just like the Instax mini Evo.
Its fun to use and feels much more satisfying than pushing a button.
The back of the camera is mostly taken up by the LCD screen.
Here, youll find the film door and lock, navigation, menu/OK, function and playback buttons.
So if youre expecting the same quality as Leicas rangefinders, think again.
Thanks to the LCD screen, it’s possible for you to choose the images you want to print.
The photos above were shot outdoors.
As I mentioned before, the Sofort 2 has an f/2 aperture which suits low lit environments.
Photos taken in these conditions turn out just as good as the Instax mini Evo.
Despite the wide aperture, I still recommend leaving the flash on in low-light conditions.
The flash also works really well on subjects close to the camera.
it’s possible for you to see a couple of examples above.
I love that you could see the plants leaves veins very well in the first photo.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
This app supports most modern Leica cameras and is very easy to use.
Youll pay$14 at Amazon U.S./14 at Amazon U.K.per double film pack (20 pieces of film).
Each print costs 75.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
I wasnt able to drain the battery in my testing, though.
Theres no battery percentage indicator as you only get bars.
After printing 10 photos, I still had three bars left.
It carries Leicas trademark modern look and premium construction, and its highly portable for traveling.
Image and print quality are excellent, and you get great low-light performance too.
But lets talk about the elephant in the room: its price.
So how much is the red Leica badge worth to you?
