Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 instant camera review

 

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 isn't that camera. Launched in September, the Instax Square SQ1 is the latest entrant to the Fujifilm line up of instant cameras, priced at Rs 10,999. If the name isn't enough to explain, the camera produces instant images with the press of a button, helping you print and preserve precious moments.

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 is the newest member of the wildly popular Instax family of instant film products. Like all Instax cameras, this analog point-and-shoot is fun to use and comes in bright colors. It also uses the square variant of Instax instant film, which has a larger image area that lets you capture more in the shot, whether it's landscapes or group selfies.

Key Specifications

• Retractable lens (65.75mm, F12.6)
• Full-automatic exposure control (flash always fires)
• Variable shutter speeds from 1.6 to 1/400 sec including slow synchro for low light
• Selfie mirror on the front of lens
• Selfie/close-up mode
• Auto frame counter
• Powered by two CR2 lithium batteries
• Available in: Terracotta Orange, Glacier Blue and Chalk White

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 operates on two CR2 batteries that you load into the back of the camera near the door where you load a pack of Instax Square film. On the back of the camera, you'll also find an automatic film counter showing you how many shots remain in your film pack and the camera’s viewfinder. Turn the camera on by rotating the lens to the 'on' position; if you are shooting a selfie or want a macro shot rotate the camera’s lens one more time to put it into 'selfie' mode (effective for subjects between 0.3 and 0.5m away).

Shooting with the Instax Square SQ1 is incredibly straightforward. Simply turn the camera on, look through the viewfinder, and press the shutter on the front grip of the camera. If you're shooting a selfie, use the small mirror on the front of the lens to frame the shot.

The SQ1 is bulkier than its Instax Mini counterparts, but that's to be expected since it’s shooting on a much larger piece of film (Instax Square picture size is 62 x 62mm). The plastic build quality of the camera feels sturdy and the ribbed grip on the right-hand side makes it comfortable to hold. Be mindful while handling the grip especially if the camera is turned on – the shutter is located on the grip and you might accidentally press it before you’ve framed the shot. Instax film isn’t exactly cheap and it can be frustrating to waste one of the 10 frames in a pack. That being said, some of my accidental shutter releases ended up creating pictures that I like quite a bit.

A successor to the Instax Square SQ6, Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 is cuter and can easily be mistaken for a plastic toy. It has a minimalist design with a single shutter button and a lens with a ring on the front. The ring can be twiddled twice - once, to turn on the camera and if you spin it further, the camera is set to click self-portraits.

Even though the traditional cameras are not meant to click selfies, Fujifilm has tried to address that by integrating a selfie mode. The idea is great, execution isn't. The users can take selfies by looking into a tiny reflector sheet placed on the lens barrel. It isn't the easiest way to click images and only solves the issue partially. The company should either include a better screen for front-facing pictures or remove it (if the idea is to keep the camera really basic).

 

 

In order to take a picture, turn on the camera by rotating the lens ring to ON. Next, look through the viewfinder, frame your shot, and press the shutter button. When the sound of the film being ejected stops, hold on the ejected film from an edge, and pull it out. It will take around 90 seconds for the picture to appear on the film.

The quality of the images is decent. The best photos are the ones clicked in a good light. Otherwise, the pictures look washed out. The pictures that I clicked with the camera were quite flat. It felt as if all the elements in the images are compressed together. Also, the photos lack colors. The camera failed to make bright greens and yellows look lively in the images.