Fujifilm Instax SQ40 Instant Camera Has a Retro Design and Square Film
Broadening its range of instant cameras, Fujifilm announced the Instax Square SQ40 camera. Taking style notes from the Mini 40, the SQ40 shoots to larger square instant film.
Coming in a black faux leather wrapped body with silver metallic-looking plastic accents, the Instax SQ40 aims to be the life of the party. At its most compact, the camera measures about 5.25 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall by 2.25 inches thick (13.34 x 11.4 x 5.72 centimeters) and features a retractable lens. It’s certainly not as portable as slipping a phone into a pocket, but then again, phones can’t spit out instant prints. For transport, the camera does come with a shoulder strap that features quick-release loops.
The SQ40 camera has an automatic exposure function to detect the ambient light and sets the shutter speed and flash output according to the scene. In low light situations, Fujifilm suggests holding the SQ40 still for an extended period of time after pressing the shutter button as the shutter speed will be slower.
The lens has three modes it physically rotates into. While the lens is in the “off” position, the lens is fully retracted into the body, and the front curtain lens cap automatically closes for protection. In the “on” position, the lens extends out and the lens cap automatically opens and is ready for general shooting. Rotating the lens past “on,” there is also a “selfie” mode that extends the lens out even further and is used for macro or selfies. The front of the lens features a small mirror to help compose self-portrait photos.
The recommended shooting distance from a subject in the regular mode is at least 19.7 inches (0.5 meters) away. In selfie mode, it’s recommended that the camera is held between 11.8 (0.3 meters) and 19.7 inches (0.5 meters) away from the subject. The built-in flash has an effective range of up to approximately 7.2 feet (2.2 meters).
The SQ40 takes Fujifilm’s Instax Square film, which is a 2.4-inch by 2.4-inch image on a 3.4-inch by 2.8-inch print. A twin pack of the basic white border film comes in at almost $19 for the 20 exposures.
Other Instax Products Get New Colors
Alongside the SQ40, Fujifilm is also launching the new “Sunset” film variety. This square film is compatible with the SQ40 and features a variety of film borders with soft color gradients that the company says are “reminiscent of a serene, peaceful sunset.”
In other Instax camera news, Fujifilm has released the Mini Evo hybrid instant camera in a new brown color option. In the PetaPixel review, this author came away happier with its smartphone-connected printing capabilities than with the actual camera’s image quality and felt that $200 wasn’t quite the appropriate price to pay for the experience.
Pricing and Availability
Fujifilm is pricing the new SQ40 instant camera at $150. The square sunset instant film will come in a single pack of 10 exposures and cost $15.75 per pack. The Instax Mini Evo in brown will keep the $200 price.
All three new products are expected to start shipping at the end of June 2023.
Image credits: Fujifilm
