The latest square format instant film camera from Fujifilm called the Instax SQ1 was released in October 2020. This is the second instant camera I’ve used so far. The first was the Instax LiPlay. The Instax SQ1 is different to the LiPlay in that the SQ1 is a straight analogue instant camera and also shoots square format film rather than mini format film. I got to road test the camera during my trip down south to Pemberton and Margaret River as part of my collaboration with Instax Australia. The article is a now published on Instax Australia’s blog if you want to check it out.
Disclaimer: Many thanks to Instax Australia for providing me the SQ1 as part of a collaboration. However this review isn’t a sponsored post and all opinions are my own. There are plenty of comprehensive reviews of the SQ1 out in the world. This is simply my experience of using the instant film camera and my thoughts on how others can use it.
Specs & features
- Dimension & weight – 130.7 mm × 118.6 mm × 57.5 mm / 390 g (without batteries, strap, and film)
- Square Format instant film – 62mm x 62mm
- Automatic exposure control
- Two modes – normal and selfie mode
- Film development time is around 90 seconds
- Automatic Flash, recycle time: 7.5 seconds or less (when using new batteries), effective ash range: 0.3 to 2.2 m
- Battery – requires two lithium ion CR2 batteries, providing an approx. 300 shots
The SQ1 is the first analogue instant film camera I’ve used. The larger format film definitely gives you more real estate to capture your image. It was quite different trying to compose in square format compared to the usual 6×4 format I’m used to on digital cameras.
The camera prides itself on being simple to use with automatic exposure control and two simple modes. Normal every day mode and selfie mode. There’s even a little selfie mirror that you can use to position yourself when you’re taking a selfie. The automatic exposure control means you leave all the thinking to the camera to produce correctly exposed images. This also means the camera decides for you whether you need a flash for your particular image.
To turn on the camera, you twist the lens ring. To get to selfie mode, you twist again.
As far as what you need to know to get start, that’s it!
Build, Design & Ergonomics
The SQ1 comes in good looking pastel colours – chalk white, glacier blue and terracotta orange. I got the the chalk white which I was pretty pleased with. I really like the minimalist and modernist look to the camera. If I had a display shelf for my camera gear, I would definitely have it on display.
To get you started the box also comes with two CR2 batteries. As it is a square format camera, the camera itself does feel pretty chucky in the hands. That’s not necessarily a bit thing. The box includes a little camera grip that you can stick on the thumb grip area and also a colour-matching wrist strap. Both of which will help with reducing the chances of you dropping the camera.
As it’s quite a big camera, I found it was one of those cameras that I would have to take out and shoot, then put it in my bag again. Instead of a camera that I would constant have in my hand. The camera is made out of plastic but it feels pretty durable and I didn’t get any scratches or dents in the week I had it out while travelling.
The back of the camera is where you insert the film pack. It also has a shot counter next to it so you know how many shots you have left or whether you need to repack the pack.
It doesn’t have a tripod thread like the the older square format camera, the SQ6. And unfortunately the batteries aren’t rechargeable.
Overall Performance
Given the simplicity of the camera, it’s very easy to use. it really is just point and shoot. There’s something gratifying about getting an instant photo without a need to go back to do any editing. It took some getting use to though as composing in square format is not something I do much at all. I constantly shot the images off centre! But that’s a me problem not a camera problem!
The auto exposure did a decent job of exposing correctly and each film produced had a nostalgic retro look. The colours appear punchy and vibrant. The wait for the image to appear on film after you take the shot felt exciting. The 90 seconds can feel like forever, but that’s probably the symptom of today’s day and age of everything appearing instantly.
When the flash went off too close to the subject it made the images a little bit blurry but overall the automatic flash did a good job.
Conclusion
The Instax SQ1 is a nice addition to the Instax lineup that has it’s place in the product range. The Instax SQ1 is a value for money square format camera if you’re looking for simplicity and love the square format. The square format gives you more real estate for your images but the film does cost almost twice as much as the mini format. Instax SQ1 itself can be bought under $200 AUD.
If you’re looking for more advanced shooting modes then this camera is not for you. You’re better off getting the older instant camera, the SQ6. The SQ1 gives off a fun and whimsical look. If you’re after something more sophisticated, then you would want to check out the other cameras in the Instax range.
Thanks for stopping by today and happy shooting!
J.
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