Our review of the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 -

20 Minutes

  • The renewed interest in instant photography has not been denied.

    Leader in this sector, Fujifilm enhances its range with the Instax Square SQ1.

  • Sold for 129 euros, this camera takes pictures in square format.

    While it is not the first to offer this format, it is the simplest in this category and does not require any adjustment.

  • On arrival, the quality of the images revealed in 90 seconds remains honorable but the SQ1 does less well than the SQ20, which is sold more expensive, but which makes it possible to avoid failed photos.

A few months before Christmas, end-of-year gift ideas are bursting with manufacturers.

Among them, Fujifilm, whose instant cameras appeal to young people.

These small colorful boxes that print photos in 90 seconds have been part of the “must have” at the foot of the tree for several years.

But for Christmas 2020, the brand with Instax devices changes gear slightly and offers with its Instax SQ1 a “square format” camera without adjustment.

The Instax Square SQ1 does not require any adjustment.

- FUJIFILM

A new turn towards the "square"

Let's face it: the Instax Square SQ1 isn't Fujifilm's first square-format camera.

The SQ6, SQ10, SQ20 preceded it.

But a sign of the times, the manufacturer seems to want to make a new turn towards the square format.

“The idea is also to appeal to an older clientele”, Fuji told “20 Minutes”.

It is true that the traditional Instax devices with their tiny rectangular photos can quickly find their limits after a drunken masked party.

With the SQ1, Fujifilm expands the range of possibilities.

But play it minimalist.

A pleasant vintage side

The design of the device to begin with: clean, very square (almost angular) and colorful, it is intended to be unisex.

The SQ1 is available in orange, blue and white.

With its matching strap, the object has its little charm although it remains quite bulky (11.83 x 11.6 x 6.82 cm for 307 g).

It gives off a pleasant vintage side.

It's on purpose.

Square format photos are revealed in 90 seconds.

- FUJIFILM

Functions, to continue.

Among the various SQ cameras that have followed one another at Fujifilm, the SQ1 remains the most sober.

You just have to turn the lens to the left (once for a classic photo, twice for a selfie or a close-up), to aim it and to press the shutter button.

By the way, we appreciate the large grip handle which allows a good grip.

The place of the trigger which falls very naturally under the thumb when taking a selfie is also well seen.

Without any adjustment

But nothing to do with the SQ6 (119 euros) which offers different exposure modes, a self-timer and a deactivatable flash.

Even less to do with the SQ20 (189 euros) and its control screen, its possibility of small retouching on the photos and that of printing only the desired views.

The new SQ1 offers none of this.

Incorporating an automatic exposure control, its flash cannot even be deactivated.

In short, all you have to do is press a button and cross your fingers.

Random quality photos

The quality of the images, finally.

Obviously, we didn't expect the SQ1 to revolutionize instant photography.

Unsurprisingly, those revealed in 90 seconds remain fairly ordinary, devoid of details (Fujifilm does not communicate the definition of the SQ1 sensor).

Some even display a slight blur.

The quality of the photos revealed by the SQ1 may differ depending on the type of shot.

- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

Despite the omnipresence of the flash, some indoor views may turn out to be underexposed, “blocked”.

Others are surprisingly clear.

Rather, you have to be outdoors to be guaranteed a successful photo.

In the end, therefore, the results remain rather diffuse.

But the immediacy is there.

The pleasure of sharing too.

The people we photographed with the SQ1 all wanted to leave with THEIR photos.

Helping format (86 x 74 mm for the print with an interior view of 66 x 66 mm), it is also easier to take group selfies than with a classic Instax with images in credit card format (54 x 86 mm).

And we no longer ask ourselves the question of the format (“Portrait” or “Landscape”), all the photos being taken here in the same way.

More followers

The price of the images remains.

The classic pack of 10 views is worth 9.99 euros (i.e. 0.99 euros per photo), the pack with photos with rainbow borders is worth 10.99 euros (1.09 euros per photo) and the (new ) monochrome pack is worth 11.99 euros (1.19 euros per photo).

According to Fujifilm we interviewed, owners of an Instax Mini camera (rectangular photos) consume 3 to 4 packs of photos per year.

Those of an Instax Square (square photos) from 7 to 8 packs per year.

We understand better why Fujifilm wants to put the square photo back on the front of the stage.

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