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Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 vs Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about casual users wanting vintage-style square prints — read the strengths below before deciding.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
6 sources$249as of Jul 31

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is a compact instant camera shooting the newer Instax Square format, which yields wider square prints with a vintage Polaroid look. PCMag's Jim Fisher described the analog process, where the image surfaces gradually 90 seconds after the shutter fires. Camera Labs' Gordon found it close to the SQ1 model but dressed up more seriously. A built-in flash and viewfinder are included, and it runs Instax Square film at 10 prints per cartridge. Reviewers pointed to the two limits: Square film only, and a price above the alternatives.

Strengths
  • — Uses fully analog process with prints emerging 90 seconds after shooting
  • — Produces wider square prints reminiscent of vintage Polaroids
  • — Includes built-in flash and viewfinder for easy framing
Watch-outs
  • — Limited to single print shape (cannot use Mini film)
  • — Relatively expensive compared to other instant cameras
$249 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Ranked #7 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
6 sources2 derived$19.99as of Jul 31

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 is a fully analog instant camera built for the newer Instax Square format, which prints at 2.4 x 2.4 inches. Dan Finnen of Dan Finnen Writing found the frame roomier than Instax Mini but said the camera doesn't do much to work around the format's limits for artistic use. Gordon from Camera Labs liked the simplicity and compact body while stressing that autofocus and flash settings often give inconsistent results. In print size and ergonomics the SQ6 lands between Instax Mini and Wide, without the advanced features digital competitors carry.

Strengths
  • — Simple analog design with no internal memory or screen, appealing to purists
  • — Compact size similar to Instax Mini 9, easy to handle
  • — Prints measure 2.4 x 2.4 inches (62 x 62 mm), wider than Instax Mini but smaller than Instax Wide
Watch-outs
  • — Small and awkward viewfinder, not much better than cheap rangefinder cameras
  • — Auto mode focuses between macro and landscape, resulting in soft images for close or distant subjects
  • — Flash off mode falls back on long shutter speeds, negating much of its value
$19.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40

While the Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Twin Pack offers broader compatibility, the SQ40 camera uniquely produces wider square prints with a vintage aesthetic. Compared to the Polaroid I-2, it lacks advanced manual controls but provides a simpler, more analog experience. Unlike the Lomo Instant Square, it doesn't support dual formats or creative exposure modes, making it more straightforward for casual users.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 is more analog and traditional than the Evo, lacking digital features but offering better build quality and simpler operation. Compared to the SQ1, it's more practical and less prone to cheap construction issues, though it's less user-friendly due to its auto-focus limitations. Unlike the Mini 12, it's more consistent in its analog approach and lacks the modern convenience features.

Specs side-by-side

SpecFujifilm Instax Square SQ40Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Film FormatInstax SquareInstax Square
BatteryCR2 lithium—
ColorThree options—
Lens2components, 2elements, f = 65.75mm, 1:12.6Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements
FlashBuilt In FlashBuilt-in automatic electronic flash
Focusing0.5m to infinity—
Weight453gApproximately 150g
Shutter Speed—Mechanical
Battery Type—2 x AA batteries
Dimensions—118.7 mm × 128.1 mm × 58.1 mm
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