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Polaroid Now+ vs Instax SQ1 (2026): Which Square Camera Wins?
Compare Polaroid Now+ vs Instax SQ1 in 2026. Square format showdown with real tests, prices, and verdict. Find the best square instant camera →
by L'équipe PixInstant
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Summary
The Polaroid Now+ wins for enthusiasts thanks to its large format, Bluetooth connectivity, and creative modes. The Instax SQ1 remains the ideal choice for total simplicity and controlled budgets.
Comparison criteria
Products compared
Polaroid Now+ vs Instax SQ1: Two Visions of Square
The square format is back in force. Between Instagram aesthetics and vintage Polaroid nostalgia, amateur photographers want square prints. But two approaches compete: Fujifilm's Japanese simplicity and Polaroid's premium character. We spent a month with both cameras. Here is what truly distinguishes the Polaroid Now+ from the Instax SQ1.
Square Format: Same Shape, Different Size
This is the first trap. Both say "square format," but the dimensions are not identical.
The Instax SQ1 produces 62 × 62 mm prints. It is a compact, beautiful square perfect for portraits, details, and food photos. It fits in the palm of your hand and slips easily into an album.
The Polaroid Now+ produces 88 × 107 mm prints. This is not just slightly larger — it is twice the surface area. The Polaroid square is a true large format. You look at it differently, you touch it differently. It is an object.
In summary: SQ1 for everyday use and practicality. Now+ for visual impact and emotion.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Polaroid Now+ | Instax SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | ~140-160 EUR | ~90-110 EUR |
| Release year | 2021 (updated 2023) | 2020 |
| Print format | 88 × 107 mm (Polaroid i-Type) | 62 × 62 mm (Instax Square) |
| Cost per photo | ~1.75 – 2.50 EUR | ~1.00 – 1.20 EUR |
| Exposure | Auto with manual compensation | Fully automatic |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + Polaroid app | None |
| Creative modes | Double exposure, light painting, portrait mode, filters | None |
| Selfie mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Lithium rechargeable (USB-C) | 2 CR2 batteries |
| Weight | ~457 g | ~390 g |
| Colors | Black, white, blue, yellow | White, glacier blue, terracotta orange |
| Tripod mount | Yes | No |
Polaroid Now+: The Premium Square
The 🛒 Polaroid Now+ → is the most complete camera in the Polaroid lineup. It keeps the brand's iconic aesthetic — the thick body, geometric lines, matte colors — while adding a technological layer that changes the experience.
The strengths that matter
The Polaroid app transforms the camera into a creative studio. From your phone, you adjust exposure, choose portrait mode, trigger remotely, and do light painting. It is the only instant camera that offers this much control without sacrificing the magic of a physical print.
Double exposure is a real playground. We superimposed a portrait onto an urban landscape. The result? Surprising, artistic, impossible to reproduce on a smartphone.
Two-zone autofocus on the Now+ is more reliable than on older Polaroid models. Portraits come out sharp, even indoors.
The limitations to know
The weight. At 457 g, the Now+ is heavy. It does not fit in a jeans pocket. It requires a bag or shoulder strap.
Film prices. At nearly 2 EUR per photo, every shot counts. This is not a camera for spraying and praying.
Instax SQ1: The Accessible Square
The 🛒 Instax SQ1 → is Fujifilm's promise for the square format: the same simplicity as the Mini 12, but bigger. And that promise is kept.
What works
Absolute simplicity. One power button, one shutter, that's it. Exposure is fully automatic. Selfie mode activates by rotating the lens ring. An 8-year-old masters this camera in five minutes.
The price. At around 100 EUR, it costs 40 to 60 EUR less than the Now+. And Square films, at ~1 EUR per photo, let you shoot twice as much for the same budget.
The design. The white version with its embossed texture is elegant. The terracotta orange and glacier blue offer more original options. It is a camera you happily pull out.
What limits it
Zero creative control. No effects, no settings, no app. What you see is what you get — when the auto exposure does its job.
The smaller format. Some find the Instax square a bit "timid" next to a real Polaroid. It is subjective, but the Now+ undeniably produces a more impressive object.
Image Quality: Chemistry vs Chemistry
Both use different technologies. Polaroid film has a warmth, color depth, and characteristic grain that Instax films do not quite reach. Skin tones are more natural on Polaroid. Skies have more nuance.
But Instax Square film is more reliable. Development is faster (~90 seconds vs 15 minutes for Polaroid). Colors are punchier and more contrasty. And the failure rate is significantly lower.
Photo verdict: Polaroid for emotion and aesthetics. Instax for reliability and consistency.
Price and Budget Over a Year
| Item | Polaroid Now+ | Instax SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | ~150 EUR | ~100 EUR |
| 100 photos | ~200 EUR | ~110 EUR |
| Total annual budget | ~350 EUR | ~210 EUR |
The gap is considerable. For the price of one year with the Now+, you can nearly afford two years with the SQ1. This is the first criterion to weigh honestly.
Verdict: Who, What?
Choose the Polaroid Now+ if:
- You want the best square format that exists
- Creativity (double exposure, light painting, app) excites you
- Film budget does not hold you back
- You want a camera that doubles as a collectible object
Choose the Instax SQ1 if:
- You want beautiful square photos without hassle
- Value for money is a priority
- You are buying for a beginner, teenager, or casual shooter
- You plan to shoot regularly (film costs make the difference)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they use the same film?
No. The Now+ uses 🛒 Polaroid i-Type film → (88 × 107 mm). The Instax SQ1 uses 🛒 Instax Square film → (62 × 62 mm). No compatibility between the two.
Which is better for a wedding?
The Now+ for a premium guest book — guests are impressed by the format. The SQ1 for a photo booth where guests shoot a lot — the cost per photo is halved.
Is the SQ1 really simpler?
Yes, clearly. One button, one shutter. The Now+ requires understanding the app and creative modes to unlock its full potential.
Do Polaroid photos really take 15 minutes?
Colors appear within a few minutes, but full development takes 10 to 15 minutes. Instax films are ready in 90 seconds.
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- Instax vs Polaroid 2026 — The global comparison between the two ecosystems.
- Best Instant Camera for Wedding 2026 — Our recommendations by event type.