Unlike its hybrid digital predecessor – the instax Square SQ10 – the new Fujifilm instax Square SQ6 returns the Square series to its fully analogue instax roots. My first worry was that this feature would downgrade the quality of the images especially with the plastic elements used in the lens. However, I soon realised that this was not the case. The ephemeral nature of the camera makes every single instax print unique and adds on to the nostalgia factor.
Let’s face it, most of us use instant cameras for portraits and selfies. In these situations, the instax Square SQ6 does a very good job. The small mirror beside the lens helps me position myself – I have never failed to position myself properly out of a test sample of more than 30 instax prints. The camera is also equipped with Automatic Exposure Control that brightens both the background and me, and this is particularly useful in night scenes. Even though the instax Square SQ6 doesn’t let me manually adjust the exposure, I can choose to brighten or darken the picture after the shot. However, due to the analog nature of the device, remember that there are no do-overs!
The instax Square SQ6 boasts a slew of camera modes. However, with the unique Double Exposure Mode, other functions like Macro Mode take the backseat. The Double Exposure Mode lets you press the shutter twice to capture an artistic shot with two images in the same print, or simply put, a layering effect. Another way I tried to make my pictures funkier is by using the colour filter that I attached to the flash. The pink and green filters look edgy and fun in some shots, but seem a little too saturated for pictures taken in a darker setting.
There’s one thing I can’t miss when I review a Fujifilm camera, and that’s the design. The camera’s retro design was inspired by the original Instagram logo and is available in three sleek colours – Blush Gold, Graphite Grey and Pearl White. Besides its design, the instax Square SQ6 wins the Lomography Lomo’Instant Square due to its simplicity. It takes less than a minute to open the rear door, align and load the film pack, eject the protective film, then point and shoot. No fuss to churn out an instax for a keepsake.
Verdict
Rating: 4.5/5
S$219
The Fujifilm instax Square SQ6 is one of the chic-est instant cameras around, and all three colours look equally good. If you have never used an instant camera and want to give it a shot, or just prefer an instax with a softer touch, this camera is the one for you. With Double Exposure Mode and colour filters, the instax Square SQ6 gives you the freedom to express your creativity and create unordinary prints.
