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Instax Square SQ40 Review: The Best Square-Format Instant Camera?
Full Instax Square SQ40 review: unique square format, retro design, image quality and verdict. Is it worth choosing over the Mini?
By Stephanie
Passionate about instant photography since 2019. She tests each camera for several weeks in real-world conditions before writing her review.
Rating breakdown
Pros
- ✓Unique and distinctive square format (62x62mm)
- ✓Beautiful matte black retro design
- ✓Smart automatic exposure
- ✓Built-in selfie mirror
- ✓Retractable lens, compact when off
Cons
- ✗Square film costs more than Mini (about $1.30/photo)
- ✗CR2 batteries less common than AA
- ✗No brightness control
- ✗No creative modes or double exposure
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Fujifilm
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
130-160€
In stock
The SQ40 blends a unique square format with refined retro design. An elegant camera that produces distinctive square prints for those who want to stand out from Mini.
See best price →Best price found for Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
Quick Verdict
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is the camera that reconciles the square format with ease of use. In a market dominated by rectangular Mini and Wide prints, the Square format (62x62mm) stands out with its Instagram-friendly aesthetic and a look that directly evokes classic Polaroid — with a uniform white border.
After weeks of use, the SQ40 won us over with its balance: refined retro design, reliable auto exposure and a format that gives real personality to every print. It is the ideal camera for those who find the Mini too small and the Wide too bulky.
The Square Format: Fujifilm Style
The Square format occupies a special place in the Instax ecosystem. Launched in 2017 with the hybrid SQ10, it found its pure analogue form with the SQ6 in 2018, then the SQ40 in 2023. The 62x62mm square print offers an appealing compromise: larger than Mini (62x46mm) while staying compact, with a square aesthetic that naturally echoes classic Polaroid prints.
The SQ40 succeeds the SQ6 with a complete design overhaul. Fujifilm simplified the camera — no more creative modes or filters — to focus on essentials: a beautiful, simple camera that produces quality prints. It is a deliberate choice that will not please everyone, but it has the merit of coherence.
Priced around $120-150, the SQ40 sits at the same level as the Wide 400, well above the Mini 12 ($70) and Mini 11 ($55). The premium is justified by the unique format and superior build quality.
Design and Build Quality
The SQ40 is arguably the most handsome analogue instant camera in Fujifilm's catalogue. The all-over matte black finish, clean lines and retractable lens give it a sophisticated retro look that stands apart from the pastel Mini range. It is a camera you want to show off.
Dimensions are compact — 130 x 127 x 67mm — and the 346g weight (without batteries or film) makes it easy to carry. Handling is pleasant, though the lack of a textured grip is felt compared to the Mini models.
The retractable lens is a real plus for transport. When off, the camera has a flat profile that slides into a bag easily. Power-on is by twisting the lens — an intuitive, satisfying gesture that also selects between normal and selfie mode.
The CR2 battery choice (two required) is the main practicality complaint. CR2s are less common and pricier than the AA batteries used by Mini and Wide cameras. Keep a spare pair handy.
Shooting Experience
The SQ40 shooting experience mirrors the Mini 12: power on, aim, shoot. Exposure is fully automatic, with flash firing when ambient light is low. No brightness dial like the Wide 400, no creative modes like the old SQ6.
Autofocus covers 0.3m to infinity, sufficient for nearly every scenario. The selfie mirror beside the lens is handy for arm-length self-portraits, though it is small.
The square format changes how you frame. Without the horizontal/vertical constraint of a rectangle, you naturally focus on the centre of the image. It lends itself particularly well to centred portraits, still lifes and symmetrical compositions. For panoramic landscapes, the Wide format remains more suitable.
Image Quality
Image quality is very good for an analogue instant camera. The optics produce prints that are sharp in the centre with slight softening in the corners — typical of all Instax cameras. Colours are true to the Instax signature: slightly warm, saturated and flattering.
The square format gives prints a distinct personality. The 62x62mm print area is 70%% larger than Mini (62x46mm), allowing more visible detail and a more polished feel.
Auto exposure is reliable in most conditions. Some underexposure in very dark interiors and slight overexposure in snow or beach scenes, but that is expected for a camera without manual brightness control.
Verdict
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is a proudly niche camera. Its unique square format and refined retro design make it stand apart in the instant ecosystem. Image quality delivers, usability is simple, and every print has a personality that Mini cameras cannot replicate.
Our 8.0/10 rating reflects an excellent camera held back by the lack of brightness control, the CR2 battery choice and the cost of Square film. But for those seeking something different, the SQ40 is an inspired choice.
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