Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 Review

May 30, 2018 | Amy Davies | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star

Introduction

Fujifilm’s new Instax Square SQ6 is the company’s first instant analogue camera to use the square Instax film. Although the SQ10 also uses it, the SQ10 is basically a digital camera with an inbuilt printer, whereas the Instax Square SQ6 is a completely analogue camera.

It features a fixed aperture, fixed focal length lens, with fully automatic operation. It takes 2x CR2 batteries, with an estimated battery life of 30 film packs (300 shots). At the time of writing, a pack of Instax square film retails for around £8.99.

Instax square film is 1.3x larger than Instax mini film, with a measurement of 86x72mm. There’s also a new black frame Instax film available as well as the standard white option.

Available in three colours, Graphite Grey, Pearl White and Blush Gold, we have been using the latter option for our review. The Instax Square SQ6 is available to buy for around £124.99.

Ease of Use

As an instant camera, the Instax Square SQ6 is reasonably large - it’s reasonably close in size to the SQ10, but it’s a little lighter. While you’re certainly not going to be able to squeeze this in your pocket, when switched off, you can happily fit it into a small bag or similar.

The camera is also much smaller than the only other fully analogue camera currently on the market using the Instax Square format film - the Lomo’Instant Square. It’s also much quicker to go from the off position, to the on position, with everything fully automated with no need to manually extend any part of the camera before you get going. It’s also considerably cheaper than the Lomo’Instant Square too.

When you switch on the camera, the front lens elements extends from the body of the camera - a switch on the top of the camera can be used to switch it on and off.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Front of the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

Loading Instax film is very easy - all you need to do is open the rear door and line-up the yellow mark on the film pack with a reasonably obvious notch on the camera body. Once you’re ready, close the film door - you’ll need to fire off the shutter release to eject the film pack’s protective film first and you’re good to go. On the back of the film door is a small window which you can use to see if there is indeed any film loaded on the back - this is good to know just as a double reminder not to open the back of the film door with film inside it - if you do, then any remaining film will be exposed to light and ruined.

It would be fair to say that the Instax Square SQ6 is not the most ergonomic camera in the world, but there is a grip on the rear of the camera (which holds the 2x CR2 batteries). It’s a little bit awkward to hold as there’s nowhere for your second hand to really go as the lens is in the way. While the batteries supplied with the camera are not rechargable, being as a set is rated to last around 300 shots - that’s 30 packs, or an eye-watering £270 on film - you’ll probably find that you won’t be replacing them very often anyway. Interestingly, the ergonomics of the camera are perhaps slightly improved when you’re holding it to face forwards to take a selfie - perhaps Instax felt it was more important for it to be easy to use when shooting selfies than anything else.

Although the camera is pretty much fully automatic, there are a few different shooting modes which you can choose between. In order to do so, you can press the Mode button on the back of the camera - you’ll see a series of icons at the top of the camera which have an LED indicator to show you which mode you’re shooting in.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Rear of the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

Here you’ll find A (automatic), selfie mode, macro mode, landscape mode, double exposure, darken and lighten. These are mostly self-explanatory - selfie and macro appear to be pretty much the same mode, while darken and lighten changes the exposure by around 2/3 of a stop either way. Frustratingly, it doesn’t appear that you can combine modes together - for example it would be useful if you could use darken with landscape mode, if you’re shooting in very bright light.

A couple of other buttons of note are the timer button and the flash button. The timer gives you 10 seconds to compose yourself - a mirror on the front of the camera helps to ensure you (and your friends) are in shot. Meanwhile, the flash button simply turns the flash off - the flash is on by default, with Fuji recommending that it be left on in most cases, especially indoors. The flash itself is accompanied by a set of three coloured plastic “gels” which simply slot over the top of the flash - if using any of these, it’s recommended that you up the brightness setting a little.

To compose your image, you can use the small finder on the top right hand corner of the camera. This is useful when you’re photographing a subject at least a couple of metres away. A circle which is visible in the viewfinder helps you to get a good idea of what will be in the frame, but  as is pretty much always the case with instant photography, it’s a little bit of trial and error figuring out what is likely to be in the shot and what isn’t - especially when you’re shooting close-up.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 In-hand

Using the macro or selfie mode gives you a focusing distance between 30cm and 50cm, while using the normal mode gives you a focusing distance between 50cm and 2 metres. Finally, the landscape mode gives you a focusing distance of 2 metres “and beyond”, making it best suited for subjects which are in the distance. As far as I can tell, “double exposure” mode has the same focusing distance as “normal” mode. When using this mode, you can combine two exposures onto the same shot - by default the flash is left on, but you can switch it off for just one or both of the shots if you prefer.

When you’re ready to take a shot, the shutter release button is on the front of the camera and requires a fairly firm press. The image will pop out of the slot at the top - it takes roughly 90 seconds for the image to start appearing, with it developing fully over the next few minutes.

To the right of the film door is a small window which shows you how many shots you’ve got left in your current film pack. You only have 10 shots per pack, so it’s always worth having a spare pack while out travelling if possible, so you can take more shots as and when you need to.

Included in the box is a strap for the Instax Square SQ6. You can attach this to the camera by hooking it onto the two strap holders on the side of the camera.

Image Quality

Image quality from an Instax camera is never about perfection, but more the fun and quirky nature of analogue shooting coupled with instant film. You don’t get a chance to make sure your image is composed perfectly, or the exposure is spot on - but you might argue that’s part of the fun.

That said, the Instax Square SQ6 is capable of producing some decent images. Sometimes that may be more down to luck than judgement, but getting to know the quirks of the camera starts to become easier the more you use it. For example, you soon learn that using the “darken” setting when you’re shooting on a bright sunny day yields better exposures than using the standard setting.

The problem is that it costs money to learn from your mistakes - which is the same problem with all instant / analogue cameras. At 90p a shot, you’ll probably find you have to invest a hefty wad of cash when you’re just starting out in order to get to know the camera a bit better.

Colours, when the exposure works out well, are vibrant and have a satisfying amount of pop. Focusing is usually pretty good, providing you have chosen the correct focusing setting.

Prints

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Product Images

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

 

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
 
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

Conclusion

It may not be the first instant camera to use the square Instax camera (the Lomography Lomo’Instant Square also uses it), the Instax Square SQ6 is arguably the easiest to use (and perhaps most stylish, depending on your point of view). It’s also very definitely the cheapest to buy (being some £75 cheaper than the Lomo’Instant Square at the time of writing). 

Instax has already proved very popular with consumers - Fujifilm says that 30 million units were sold last year - and we can see this one also being very popular. The square shape film gives you more space to work with than Instax Mini, and while it’s still expensive to run, feels a little bit more like value for money. 

Don’t expect your images to be perfect every time and you should be satisfied with what the Instax Square SQ6 can do. It’s not about getting perfectly exposed, perfectly focused images - it’s about being “fun” or “quirky”, just beware that it may cost you a lot of outlay to discover exactly how to get the best from the camera when you first start using it. 

Although not too oversized considering the Instax Square SQ6 has to fit the Instax Square film inside it, you’re never going to fit something like this in your pocket. You may find it a little bit annoying having to carry around a camera like this all day just to get one or two shots - still, it should fit in a small bag neatly enough (and is certainly smaller than the Lomo’Instant Square). The ergonomics of the camera could be a little better - it seems like Instax has gone with a square shape to reflect the square film, but it doesn’t always make for the most pleasurable holding experience. 

If you’re a fan of the square film, but you want a little more control over your images, you might instead want to consider the Instax Share SP-3, which uses the same film, but can print digital photos from a number of sources, including your mobile phone - but it’s nowhere near as much fun (of course). 

Overall, the Instax Square SQ6 is quite probably the best Instax camera to be launched to date - particularly if you prefer square format over Instax mini. Hopefully we’ll see both a drop in film price as time goes on, or some additions made to the range for flexibility - a monochrome film would be nice. 

4 stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4
Features 4
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 4
Value for money 3.5

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 is a new hybrid instant camera that blends the digital and analog together, capturing 3.7 megapixel images and printing out 62mm square prints, all from the same device. Does it offer the best of both worlds? Read our Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 review to find out...

Impossible I-1

The brand new Impossible I-1 is the first new camera system in over twenty years for the original Polaroid photo format. Read our Impossible I-1 review now to find out what it offers...

Leica Sofort

The brand new Leica Sofort is the German manufacturer's first ever instant film camera. Entering a market dominated by Fujifilm, the Sofort (German for "instant") can take both colour and black & white pictures, and features a small mirror for easier selfies. Read the World's first Leica Sofort review now to find out what it offers...

Lomo'Instant Automat Glass

As its name suggests, the new Lomo'Instant Automat Glass is a fully automatic instant camera with a glass lens. Read our Lomo'Instant Automat Glass review now to find out it delivers the best image quality from an instant film camera ...

Lomo'Instant Automat

The new Lomo'Instant Automat is a fully automatic instant camera that promises to take perfectly lit mini shots, anytime. Does it succeed? Find out by reading our Lomo'Instant Automat review now...

Lomo'Instant Square

The new Lomo'Instant Square is a fully automatic instant camera that's the first ever analog model to use the square Instax film format. You can also use Instax Mini film by changing the camera back, increasing its versatility. Is this the best instant camera on the market? Find out by reading our Lomo'Instant Square review now...

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 from around the web.

cameralabs.com »

The Fujifilm Instax SQ6 is an analogue instant camera styled to look like the classic Instagram logo. It's Fujifilm's second instant camera to use the Instax Square format, but unlike the earlier digital SQ10 it employs the simpler analogue process of the popular Instax Mini series.
Read the full review »

techadvisor.co.uk »

Instax boasts that the SQ6 is its ‘first square format analogue instant camera’, which might confused anyone who remembers the Instax SQ10 - but since that was technically a digital-analogue hybrid, we’ll let Instax sneak through on a technicality.
Read the full review »

Specifications

Film FUJIFILM Instant Film “instax SQUARE” (Purchased separately)
Picture Size 62 mm x 62 mm/2.4 in.x 2.4 in.
Lens Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f = 65.75 mm, 1:12.6
Viewfinder Inverted Galilean finder, 0.4 x, with target spot
Focusing Motor-driven 3-range switching (0.3 m - 0.5 m/1 ft. - 1.6 ft., 0.5 m - 2 m/
1.6 ft - 6.6 ft., 2 m/6.6 ft. and beyond),
Macro Mode (0.3 m - 0.5 m/1 ft. - 1.6 ft.)
Normal Mode (0.5 m - 2 m/1.6 ft - 6.6 ft.)
Landscape Mode (2 m/6.6 ft and beyond)
Shutter Release Programmed electronic shutter release, 1.6 sec - 1/400 sec.
Exposure Control Automatic, Interlocking range (ISO 800) : LV 5 - LV 15.5,
Exposure compensation: ±2/3 EV
Film Feeding Out Automatic
Film Developing Time Approximately 90 seconds (Varies depending on the ambient temperature)
Flash In Macro mode: Built-in, automatic electronic flash
In a mode other than Macro mode: Flash on (unless you use “Flash off Mode”)
Charging time: 0.2 sec - 7 sec (using a new battery), Flash charging indicator,
Effective flash lamp range: 0.3 m - 2.7 m/1 ft. - 8.9 ft.
Self-Timer Electronically controlled, approx. 10 second delay, Can be stopped mid-run
LED Display Shooting mode (Auto, Selfie, Macro, Landscape, Double exposure), Brightness adjustment, Flash suppressing, Self timer Mode
Power Supply Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries
Capacity: Approximately 30 instax SQUARE 10-pack film packs with
new CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries
Others Film pack confirmation window, tripod socket (tripod sold separately)
Dimensions & Weight 118.7 mm x 128.1 mm x 58.1 mm/4.7 in. x 5.0 in. x 2.3 in.
(not including protrusions)
393 g/13.9 oz. (without battery, strap, and film pack)
Accessories Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries, Shoulder strap, Three flash color filters

News

The Fujifilm instax SQUARE SQ6 is the first fully analog Fujifilm instax camera to be compatible with square format film.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Instant Camera “instax SQUARE SQ6”

New Solid Color Square Film “BLACK” – Stylish Black Frame

15.05.2018

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) will launch “instax SQUARE SQ6” (SQ6) compatible with square format film as a new addition to the instax series of instant camera lineup, which allows users to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing. The various shooting functions, simple stylish design, and the square format prints suit any fashion style and allow the camera to be taken anywhere, ensuring you never miss a precious moment. The “BLACK” frame for solid color square film will also be released on the same day. By adding the black frame to the lineup, you can enjoy shooting in a square format that emphasizes the vividness and contrast of the photos.

The SQ6 has a variety of functions that can be used in any situation. The camera has an automatic exposure adjustment function that is activated when the shutter button is pressed. It detects the ambient brightness and adjusts to provide the optimum shutter speed and flash light intensity. Even in a dark room, subjects and the background can be shot vividly and clearly. When taking a selfie, simply set the camera to selfie-mode and the settings will be adjusted to the optimum focus and brightness. There is also a self-shot mirror attached to the side of the lens allowing you to check the shooting range. Tripod holes in the bottom of the main unit and a timer can be also useful for group photos. Furthermore, to cover every situation, the camera has three modes. The “Double Exposure Mode” allows two photos to be overlapped on a single film when the shutter button is pressed twice, the “Macro Mode” can take short-range photos up to a minimum of 30cm, and the “Landscape Mode” can be used to take long-range landscape photos. It also includes three flash color filters (orange/purple/green) that once placed over the flash will change the color of the overall photo, allowing you to achieve a more unique and textured photo.

The camera is designed simple yet stylish. There are three color variations with pearl white to suit any style, blush gold for an elegant touch, and graphite gray for a cool and calm feel. The ring around the lens has a metallic finish and is matched to the color of the main unit. The knurled* surface not only makes the camera easy to hold but is also a great part of the design. The design allows you to choose the camera that suits your style and fashion.

About square format

1. Allows more of the background and atmosphere to be included in the photos with wider photo range compared to card sized instax mini film

2. Allows you to make memorable photos by utilizing “1 to 1" aspect ratio

Last year, Fujifilm released the square format film “instax SQUARE Film” and the hybrid instant camera with corresponding image processing and editing functions. There was the market needs to expand the lineup of cameras compatible with the square format. The products of instax series are being used mainly by youth all over the world since 1998, and the cumulative shipments have exceeded 30 million units across the globe. Fujifilm will continue to spread the instant photo system “instax”, which allows everyone to “enjoy printing photos as they take them,” around the world.

* The small ridges and grooves on the surface of the camera.

1. Product Name

(1) Instant Camera “instax SQUARE SQ6” Pearl White/Blush Gold/Graphite Gray (available in 3 colors)

(2) Square format film “instax SQUARE Film” BLACK

2. Release Date

Scheduled to expand selling countries / regions from May 25, 2018

3. Price

Open price

4. Main Features

(1) “instax SQUARE SQ6”

a) Simple Stylish Design Adopted a simple and stylish design. The design allows you to choose the camera that suits your style and fashion sense.

b) Equipped with multiple shooting functions

  • Auto Mode (standard) 

The camera has an automatic exposure adjustment function that detects the ambient brightness and adjusts to the optimum shutter speed and flash light intensity when the shutter button is pressed. Even in a dark room, subjects and the background can be shot vividly and clearly.

  •  Selfie Mode

Adjusted to the optimum focus and brightness for self-shooting.

  •  Exposure Adjustment 

The brightness and darkness can be adjusted.

  •  Macro Mode 

Allows short-range shooting up to a minimum of 30cm.

  •  Landscape Mode 

Allows long-range shooting from a minimum of 2m

  •  Double Exposure 

Mode By pressing the shutter twice, two images can be overlapped on one film.

  •  Self-timer 

The self-timer function allows for group photos.

  •  Flash Off 

Turning the flash off allows photos to be taken with natural light.

c) Includes three flash color filters (Orange/Purple/Green) Attaching a filter over the flash will give your pictures a unique and textured coloring.

(2) “instax SQUARE Film” BLACK

a) The film can be used in any instax SQUARE series camera with the square format applied.

b) The entire frame is a solid black, allowing the photos to stand out with the contrast.

c) Each pack has 10 film prints.

Main specifications

FilmFujifilm Instant Film “instax SQUARE Film (available separately)
LensRetractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f = 65.75 mm, 1:12.6
ViewfinderInverted Galilean finder, 0.4 x, with target spot
FocusingMotor-driven 3-range switching (0.3 m - 0.5 m/1 ft. - 1.6 ft., 0.5 m - 2 m/1.6 ft - 6.6 ft.,2 m/6.6 ft. and beyond), Macro Mode (0.3 m - 0.5 m/1 ft. - 1.6 ft.) Normal Mode (0.5 m - 2 m/1.6 ft - 6.6 ft.) Landscape Mode (2 m/6.6 ft and beyond)
Shutter ReleaseProgrammed electronic shutter release, 1.6 sec - 1/400 sec.
Exposure ControlAutomatic, Interlocking range (ISO 800) : LV 5 - LV 15.5,Exposure compensation: ±2/3 EV
Film Feeding OutAutomatic
Film Developing TimeApproximately 90 seconds (Varies depending on the ambient temperature)
FlashIn Macro mode: Built-in, automatic electronic flash In a mode other than Macro mode: Always flashing Charging time: 0.2 sec - 7 sec (using a new battery), Flash charging indicator, Effective flash lamp range: 0.3 m - 2.7 m/1 ft. - 8.9 ft.
Self-TimerElectronically controlled, approx. 10 second delay, Can be stopped mid-run
LED DisplayShooting mode (Auto, Selfie, Macro, Landscape, Double exposure), Brightness adjustment, Flash suppressing, Self timer Mode
Power SupplyTwo CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries Capacity: Approximately 30 instax SQUARE 10-pack film packs with new CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries
OthersFilm pack confirmation window, tripod socket (tripod sold separately)
Dimensions & Weight118.7 mm x 128.1 mm x 58.1 mm/4.7 in. × 5.0 in. × 2.3 in. (not including protrusions)/393 g/13.9 oz. (without battery, strap, and film pack)
AccessoriesTwo CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries, Shoulder strap, Three flash filters

 

2) "instax SQUARE Film" Black

Screen size62mm×62mm (L×W)
Film size86mm×72mm (L×W)

First Impressions

We attended the UK launch party for the new Fujifilm Instax SQ6 instant film camera. Ahead of our full review, here are our detailed first impressions of using Fujifilm's first instant analogue camera to use the square Instax film.

Fujifilm’s new Instax SQ6 is the company’s first instant analogue camera to use the square Instax film. Although the SQ10 also uses it, the SQ10 is basically a digital camera with an inbuilt printer, whereas the SQ6 is a completely analogue camera.

It features a fixed aperture, fixed focal length lens, with fully automatic operation. It takes 2x CR2 batteries, with an estimated battery life of 30 film packs (300 shots).

Ease of Use

Fujifilm Instax SQ6

As an instant camera, the SQ6 is reasonably large - it’s reasonably close in size to the SQ10, but it’s a little lighter. While you’re certainly not going to be able to squeeze this in your pocket, when switched off, you can happily fit it into a small bag or similar.

When you switch on the camera, the front lens elements extends from the body of the camera - a switch on the top of the camera can be used to switch it on and off.

Loading Instax film is very easy - all you need to do is open the rear door and line-up the yellow mark on the film pack with a reasonably obvious notch on the camera body. Once you’re ready, close the film door - you’ll need to fire off the shutter release to eject the film pack’s protective film first and you’re good to go.

Fujifilm Instax SQ6

Although the camera is pretty much fully automatic, there are a few different shooting modes which you can choose between. In order to do so, you can press the Mode button on the back of the camera - you’ll see a series of icons at the top of the camera which have an LED indicator to show you which mode you’re shooting in.

Here you’ll find A (automatic), selfie mode, macro mode, landscape mode, double exposure, darken and lighten. These are mostly self-explanatory - selfie and macro appear to be pretty much the same mode, while darken and lighten changes the exposure by around 2/3 of a stop either way.

A couple of other buttons of note are the timer button and the flash button. The timer gives you 10 seconds to compose yourself - a mirror on the front of the camera helps to ensure you (and your friends) are in shot. Meanwhile, the flash button simply turns the flash off - the flash is on by default, with Fuji recommending that it be left on in most cases, especially indoors. The flash itself is accompanied by a set of three coloured plastic “gels” which simply slot over the top of the flash - if using these, it’s recommended that you up the brightness setting a little.

Fujifilm Instax SQ6

To compose your image, you can use the small finder on the top right hand corner of the camera. This is useful when you’re photographing a subject at least a couple of metres away. A circle which is visible in the viewfinder helps you to get a good idea of what will be in the frame, but  as is pretty much always the case with instant photography, it’s a little bit of trial and error figuring out what is likely to be in the shot and what isn’t - especially when you’re shooting close-up.

When you’re ready to take a shot, the shutter release button is on the front of the camera and requires a fairly firm press. The image will pop out of the slot at the top - it takes roughly 90 seconds for the image to start appearing, with it developing fully over the next few minutes.

Image Quality

Fujifilm Instax SQ6

So far we’ve had a brief opportunity to use the Instax SQ6 at the launch event, which took place in an underground venue (with harsh lighting). Despite this, the SQ6 produced some fun shots with vibrant colours and more than enough detail for the size of the Instax print.

Image quality from an Instax camera is never about perfection, but more the fun and quirky nature of analogue shooting coupled with instant film. You don’t get a chance to make sure your image is composed perfectly, or the exposure is spot on - but you might argue that’s part of the fun.

Early Verdict

Although not the first instant camera to use the square Instax camera (the Lomography Lomo’Instant Square also uses it), the SQ6 arguably the easiest to use (and perhaps most stylish, depending on your point of view).

Instax has already proved very popular with consumers - Fujifilm says that 30 million units were sold last year - and we can see this one also being very popular. The square shape film gives you more space to work with than Instax Mini, and while it’s still expensive to run, feels a little bit more like value for money.

We’re looking forward to giving it a proper test as soon as possible, stay tuned!

Hands On

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm Instax SQ6 instant film camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Fujifilm Instax SQ6 instant film camera.

A gallery of hands-on gallery of photos of the new Fujifilm Instax SQ6 instant film camera.

Image Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

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