Instax Square SQ20 Hands-On

Fujifilm recently unveiled the latest addition to their Instax lineup, the Instax Square SQ20. A successor to the SQ10, the SQ2O is a hybrid instant camera that captures still pictures and video recording with various filter effects. Let’s take a look at it!

The Instax Square SQ20 is available in two colors, Beige and Matte Black, which is the unit that we have here on hand. Similar to the older Instax cameras, the camera feels pretty solid and sturdy in hand.

The front camera houses a small mirror which makes it easier for people to take selfies as compared to the older Instax models. There’s also the LED flash, dual shutter buttons on the left and right respectively, the lens, and the zoom ring. Users can move the ring to zoom in and out of their desired subjects to capture.

It also has a rechargeable battery and an internal printer, with the film ejection slot located at the top, for instant photo-printing.

Since the SQ20 is a hybrid digital shooter, the back part houses the monitor. No more guessing if you manage to capture all that you want in one shot, the monitor will make the job easier for you. You can take numerous shots and only select which ones you want to print out.

At the top, we have the film door lock button, and opening it up lets you load in the film pack. The SQ20 makes use of the Instax Square films only.

Below the screen, we have a dedicated power button. Switching it on lets users choose between shooting videos or still pictures. You’ve read that right; the Instax SQ20 can take videos! We’re still a long way behind the moving printed picture magic seen in Harry Potter so while this camera does take clips, it can’t print them like that. What it can do though, is let you select frames from the video and print them out. You can now take various action shots without worrying if it got photographed correctly or not. Do note that it does not record sounds.

The control buttons, the menu button, and the selector or command dial are also found here. The Instax SQ20 lets you shoot in various modes, namely, Standard, Bulb Mode, Double Exposure, Split, Collage, and Timeshift Collage.

The Standard mode lets you shoot normal stills, and you can also adjust the flash setting. The Bulb Mode is similar to the Standard, except that this mode is ideal for long-exposure or night shots. Double Exposure lets you combine two images in one, while the Split mode allows you to capture multiple images in one photo, segmented into half vertically or horizontally, divided into quarters or thirds, or divided into nine. As for Collage, you can take different photos for each segment, and split up the segments at random. The Timeshift Collage lets you take four shots with a time delay in between them.

Another feature that the Instax SQ20 has are the filters. To use the feature, simply press the filter button, and use the command dial to select the filter you want to use. There are quite a ton of filter effects that you can use, like Monochrome, Sepia, Nostalgic, and there are also options to select a partial color to highlight while the rest are shot in black-and-white.

The SQ20 allows users to adjust the brightness of their photos with the Brightness button located on the left of the Filter button. On the right side is the Vignette button, letting the users then adjust the brightness of the four corners as they shoot their desired image or clip.

The camera has internal storage that can store up to 50 images or a 30-second clip but for the Instax trigger-happy people, you’d be delighted to know that the SQ20 has a microSD card slot to store more. The card slot is located underneath a flap on the left side of the camera, with the battery charging port and the reset button situated next to it. At the top of each side are strap hooks, letting you attach a hand strap or a shoulder strap on them.

Here are some sample shots we’ve taken and printed out using the Instax SQ20:

Instax Square SQ20 specs:

• 1/5-in., CMOS image sensor
• 1920 x 1920px
• Built-in memory (approx. 50 still pictures, 30 secs video recording)
• 800 x 800 video recording @15fps, H.264
• f/2.4 Single/Continuous AF 33.4mm lens, 1/7500 sec to 1/2 sec shutter speed, 100 to 1600 ISO
• 2.7-inch TFT color LCD monitor
• Micro USB Type-B (charging/file copying)
• 10print/pack
• 800 x 800 print supported image size
• 86 x 72mm film size
• 62mm x 62mm image size
• 256 levels per color (RGB)
• supports JPEG
• Li-Ion battery
• Approx 2-3 hours charging time
• 119 x 50 x 127mm
• 390g (w/o film pack and memory card)
• 440g (w/ film pack and memory card)
• Matte Black, Beige

The Instax Square SQ20 is priced at PHP 12,999USD 222INR 18,778EUR 211CNY 1,613 while its availability is yet to be announced.