In an age where our phones hold tens of thousands of digital images, there’s a strange disconnect. We capture everything but often feel nothing; our most precious memories are just data, pixels on a screen, lost in an endless scroll. I remember the excitement of getting a roll of film developed, the anticipation of seeing which shots “worked.” That tangible connection to a moment has been largely lost. This is the void that instant photography fills, and it’s a void I was eager to explore again. The promise of the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera isn’t just about taking a picture; it’s about creating a physical artefact, a one-of-a-kind memento, seconds after the shutter clicks. It’s about handing a friend a photo from a party they can actually put on their fridge, not just tag on social media.
- 5 shooting modes including Selfie Mode
- Inbuilt Flash with Automatic Exposure Control. Picture size: 6.2 cm x 6.2 cm
What to Consider Before Buying an Instant Camera
An Instant Camera is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming the spontaneity and permanence of photography. In a world of editable, filter-heavy digital perfection, instant cameras force us to embrace the imperfect, the immediate, and the authentic. They solve the problem of “photo-hoarding” on digital devices by producing a single, tangible print for each moment. The main benefits are the immediate gratification of holding a photo, the unique, vintage aesthetic of the film, and the social joy of sharing a physical print right on the spot. It’s a conversation starter, a party accessory, and a creative tool all in one.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing creative burnout or digital fatigue—the hobbyist, the scrapbooker, the event planner, or the family documentarian who wants to create lasting, physical memories. It’s for the person who values the experience and the resulting object over technical perfection. On the other hand, it might not be suitable for those who demand pixel-perfect sharpness, extensive editing capabilities, or cost-effective shooting. Professional photographers needing high-resolution files for large prints or individuals on a tight budget who are wary of the ongoing cost of film might consider alternatives, such as a high-quality smartphone paired with a portable photo printer.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Film Format & Cost: The biggest ongoing commitment is the film. Instax offers Mini (credit-card sized), Wide, and the iconic Square format used by this camera. The square format provides a classic 1:1 aspect ratio that is fantastic for portraits and creative compositions. However, as many users note, the cost can add up, often hovering around £1 per shot. You must be prepared for this recurring expense and learn to make each shot count.
- Creative Controls & Features: Are you a point-and-shoot purist or a creative experimenter? Basic models offer little more than a shutter button and flash. The INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera sits in a beautiful middle ground, offering modes like double exposure, macro, landscape, and brightness control. Features like a self-timer, as one user highlighted as their main reason for purchase, can be a deal-breaker for group photos.
- Power Source: This is a surprisingly important detail. Many modern cameras use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, but the SQ6 uses two CR2 lithium batteries. While these have a long life, they are not as common as AAs and are not rechargeable, adding another small, recurring cost and something you’ll need to remember to pack for trips.
- Design & Ergonomics: An instant camera is a physical object you’ll be carrying around. Some are pocket-sized, while others, like the SQ6, are decidedly bulky. We found, as some users did, that its size can be slightly awkward at first. However, its stylish, retro design and solid feel make it a statement piece that feels substantial and well-built in the hands, not like a toy.
Choosing the right instant camera is about matching its features and format to your creative intentions and budget.
While the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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Unboxing the INSTAX Square SQ6: First Impressions and Key Features
Sliding the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera out of its box feels like an event. We tested the Blush Gold model, and the finish is stunning—a soft, metallic sheen that perfectly complements its retro-modernist design. It feels solid and well-constructed, a definite step up from some of the more toy-like instant cameras on the market. In the box, we found everything needed to get started immediately: the camera itself, a matching shoulder strap, two CR2 batteries, and a delightful surprise—a set of three coloured flash filters (orange, purple, and green) for creative effects. There’s no film included, which is standard practice but always something to be aware of before you buy.
Powering it on is simple, with a dedicated button that extends the lens. The back of the camera is clean and functional, featuring a power button, a mode button, and a button to disable the flash. Small LED lights clearly indicate which mode is active, taking the guesswork out of setup. The front is dominated by the lens, flash, and a tiny, but incredibly useful, selfie mirror. Having personally struggled to frame selfies on older instant cameras, this small addition is a game-changer. The overall first impression is one of thoughtful design that balances aesthetic appeal with user-friendly functionality.
Advantages
- Classic 1:1 square photo format is iconic and versatile.
- Excellent range of creative shooting modes, including Double Exposure and Macro.
- Stylish and sturdy retro design available in multiple attractive colours.
- Includes a self-timer and a helpful selfie mirror for group shots and self-portraits.
- Comes with three coloured flash filters for artistic expression.
Drawbacks
- Ongoing cost of both square film and non-rechargeable CR2 batteries.
- Image quality can be inconsistent in challenging light, sometimes appearing dark or blurry.
- The body is quite bulky, which can be awkward for users with smaller hands.
A Deep Dive into the SQ6’s Real-World Performance
An instant camera lives or dies by the experience of using it and the quality of the prints it produces. After spending considerable time shooting with the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera across various scenarios—bright sunny days, indoor parties, and close-up portraits—we’ve developed a deep appreciation for its strengths and a clear understanding of its limitations. This is a camera that rewards a thoughtful photographer, offering a level of creative control that is rare at this price point.
The Heart of the Matter: Image Quality and the Square Format
The single most compelling reason to choose the SQ6 is its film format. The 6.2cm x 6.2cm square image is a direct homage to the classic Polaroid, offering a beautifully balanced frame that feels more deliberate and artistic than the smaller, rectangular Instax Mini format. It’s perfect for portraits, still life, and symmetrical compositions. The image quality itself is classic Instax: photos emerge with a soft, slightly desaturated look that many users, ourselves included, describe as a “vintage feel.” Colours are pleasing but not overly vibrant, and the automatic exposure system does a commendable job in most well-lit situations.
However, this is where the learning curve begins, and where some user complaints about dark or blurry photos originate. We found that the camera’s Automatic Exposure Control, while generally reliable, can be fooled by scenes with high contrast. For example, shooting a subject against a very bright sky can result in an underexposed, dark silhouette. This is the nature of instant film’s limited dynamic range. To get the best results, you need to be mindful of your light source. Always try to have the sun or primary light source behind you, illuminating your subject. In low-light indoor settings, the flash is essential, but it can sometimes wash out subjects that are too close. The magic happens when you learn to work *with* these limitations, embracing the slightly unpredictable, lo-fi charm that is the very soul of instant photography.
Unleashing Creativity: A Tour of the Shooting Modes
This is where the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera truly distances itself from more basic models like its successor, the SQ1. The five dedicated shooting modes, easily selected via a button on the back, transform it from a simple point-and-shoot into a versatile creative instrument.
- Selfie Mode: Paired with the front-facing mirror, this mode is flawlessly executed. It automatically adjusts the focal length and exposure for a perfect arm’s-length shot, ensuring your face is sharp and well-lit. It completely removes the guesswork and wasted film that often comes with instant camera selfies.
- Macro and Landscape Modes: The ability to manually change the focus range is a professional feature. Macro mode allows you to get as close as 30cm to your subject, perfect for capturing details in flowers, food, or textures. Conversely, Landscape mode sets the focus to infinity, ensuring distant scenes like mountain ranges or cityscapes are as sharp as possible.
- Double Exposure Mode: This is the camera’s star feature. By pressing the shutter once, you capture the first image, and then you can frame a second image to overlay on top of it before the film ejects. This allows for incredibly artistic and surreal compositions—a portrait blended with a cityscape, or a flower superimposed on a texture. It takes practice, but the results are unique and deeply rewarding, offering a level of in-camera creativity that digital photography often reserves for post-processing software.
- Lighten/Darken Modes: These are your secret weapons against the exposure issues mentioned earlier. If you know you’re shooting a dark subject against a bright background, engaging Darken (D) mode can help preserve the background details. Conversely, if your subject is in shadow, Lighten (L) mode can help bring them out. Mastering these simple exposure compensation tools is the key to consistently getting great shots.
Design, Ergonomics, and Usability in the Field
The physical experience of using the SQ6 is a major part of its appeal. Its design is a triumph of retro aesthetics. The symmetrical body, the metallic finish, and the satisfying click of the lens extending all contribute to a feeling of quality. As noted by some users, it is undeniably bulky. It’s not a camera you slip into a jeans pocket; it’s one you wear around your neck with the included strap, making a statement. We found the grip to be comfortable enough for an adult’s hands, though we can see how it might be awkward for a child.
The viewfinder is bright and clear, but like all instant cameras of this type, it suffers from parallax error at close distances—what you see in the viewfinder is slightly offset from what the lens captures. This is most noticeable in macro mode, and you learn to compensate by framing your subject slightly to the upper-right. The inclusion of a standard tripod mount on the bottom is a fantastic touch, allowing for stable long exposures (though the camera lacks a bulb mode) and making the self-timer infinitely more useful for sharp, steady group photos. The timer feature itself, a key selling point for many, works perfectly, with a flashing light on the front providing a clear countdown. The one significant drawback in its design is the reliance on CR2 batteries. In a world of USB-C charging, having to source and pay for disposable batteries feels dated and inconvenient, representing the camera’s biggest practical flaw.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly echoed in the broader user community. There is an overwhelming wave of positivity surrounding the camera’s design and features. One user perfectly captured this sentiment, saying, “Love the colour, love the style. The reason I chose this camera was for one of its main features which is a timer.” This highlights how the expanded feature set directly addresses the needs of users who want more than a basic instant camera for family gatherings and group shots. Another review celebrated the creative potential, stating, “Changing the flash also gives a range of colors you can play off of! 10/10 would recommend!” This points to the fun and accessible nature of the included flash filters.
However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on two key areas. First, the practicalities: “It’s huge and bulky… the refills for it are so expensive, around £1 a photo at times!!!” This is a crucial reality check for potential buyers—it is not a small or cheap hobby. Second, the learning curve on image quality is a recurring theme. Comments like, “I have not taken one picture with this camera that hasn’t come out dark or blurry,” are common from those expecting digital-like consistency. It reinforces our conclusion that getting the best from the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera requires patience and a willingness to learn the quirks of instant film.
How Does the INSTAX Square SQ6 Compare to the Competition?
The instant camera market is diverse, and the SQ6 occupies a specific niche. To understand if it’s right for you, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against some popular alternatives.
1. INSTAX SQUARE SQ1 Instant Camera
- Automatic exposure so you never miss a moment
- Produces instant photos
The SQ1 is Fujifilm’s successor to the SQ6, but “successor” doesn’t mean “better”—it means “simpler.” The SQ1 strips away nearly all the manual controls of the SQ6. It has no shooting modes, no flash-off button, and no self-timer. It is a purely automatic, point-and-shoot experience. To take a selfie, you simply twist the lens barrel. This camera is the ideal choice for someone who is intimidated by options and wants the absolute simplest path to a square instant photo. If you value ease of use above all else and don’t care for features like double exposure or macro mode, the SQ1 is a fantastic, straightforward alternative. However, for anyone with a creative spark, the SQ6 offers a vastly more rewarding experience.
2. INSTAX mini 90 NEO CLASSIC Camera
- Produce instant credit card sized photos
- Uses instax mini film, print size 54 (w) x 86 (H), image size 46 (w) x 62 (H) mm, sold separately
The Mini 90 Neo Classic is for the photographer who prioritizes advanced features and a different aesthetic. Its biggest difference is the film format: it uses the smaller, portrait-oriented Instax Mini film. In terms of features, it rivals and in some ways surpasses the SQ6, boasting a high-performance flash, a bulb exposure mode for long-exposure creativity, and, crucially, a rechargeable battery. Its handsome, classically-inspired design appeals to serious photography enthusiasts. The choice between the SQ6 and the Mini 90 comes down to two things: do you prefer the square or the mini film format, and do you need a rechargeable battery and bulb mode enough to sacrifice the larger print size?
3. KODAK Barbie Step Slim Wireless Photo Printer Bundle
- BARBIE X KODAK: ICONIC AND STYLISH Step into a world of style with the Barbie and Kodak. This chic lightweight pocket-sized printer prints up to 25 photos on a single charge.
- PORTABLE PRINTING ON-THE-GO The BARBIE X KODAK STEP SLIM printer connects seamlessly to any iOS or Android device [via Bluetooth or NFC], so you can easily turn your digital images into prints.
This isn’t a camera at all, and that’s the point. The Kodak Step is a portable printer that connects to your smartphone. This option is for the person who loves the idea of a physical print but cannot stand the thought of wasting expensive film on a poorly exposed or badly framed shot. With a printer, you use your smartphone to take a technically perfect, endlessly editable photo, then send it to the printer for an instant-style print using Zink (Zero Ink) paper. You get a guaranteed “perfect” result every time. The trade-off is the complete loss of the magic, spontaneity, and unique artefact quality of a true instant camera. It’s the perfect solution for control freaks, but a poor choice for those seeking the authentic instant experience.
Final Verdict: Is the INSTAX Square SQ6 the Right Instant Camera for You?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the INSTAX Square SQ6 Instant Camera is a modern classic and arguably the best all-around instant camera Fujifilm has produced. It strikes an almost perfect balance between the simplicity of a point-and-shoot and the engaging creative controls of a more advanced camera. It is the ideal choice for the creative hobbyist, the party-goer who wants more than just simple snaps, or anyone who fell in love with the iconic 1:1 square format and wants to do more with it.
While the bulky size and the ongoing expense of film and CR2 batteries are valid considerations, they are outweighed by the sheer joy and versatility it offers. The ability to shoot double exposures, get in close with macro mode, and control your exposure gives you a toolkit to grow as a photographer. If you’re willing to embrace its filmic quirks and learn its simple controls, the SQ6 will reward you with unique, beautiful, and tangible memories. For those looking for an instant camera that offers both style and substance, the INSTAX Square SQ6 is an outstanding choice and our top recommendation in its class.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API