One Square A Day: Two Weeks of Life Captured on the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20
I brought it with me to work, on holiday and while doing chores
The first time I heard about the video diary app 1SE, I was obsessed. The idea of capturing a second, a moment that was the highlight of my day was so novel to me. But while I appreciate watching and re-watching slices of my life on video, I like the idea of being able to hold onto something and in a form that feels private to me, like instant prints. Of course, there’s also that thrill that comes with waiting for a picture to appear on film. So imagine my excitement when we were asked to take the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20, the newest addition to the Instax family, out for a test run.
For two weeks, I brought the Instax Square SQ20 with me to work, on holiday and while doing house chores, and took one square picture a day.
Who is s/he?
The Instax Square SQ20, which we got in matte black but also comes in beige, is a hybrid instant camera. It has an optical viewfinder that allows you to shoot, review and edit photos right before you print them. Highlight features below:
Camera features | Specs |
Still picture and can hold up to 50 pictures Video recording (no sound) up to 30 seconds Frame grab Timeshift collage Double exposure Split Filters Selfie mirror Zoom |
1/5-in. CMOS image sensor 1920 x 1920px Built-in memory 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) 10 prints/pack 800 x 800 print supported image size Takes 2 to 3 hours to charge |
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
Real Talk
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20 is a sight to behold in terms of design; it’s sleek, it’s matte, it looks good between my two hands. It’s comfortable enough to hold but the placement of the shutter buttons feel a little unnatural to me. I have to actively remind myself where to hold and press. But fortunately, the SQ20 doesn’t shoot and print automatically.
While the viewfinder allows you to review your shots, what you see onscreen is not what you get on your film print. So make sure to edit, edit, edit; in my case, some of my pictures had to look almost washed out on the display to look bright on print.
So if you’re looking for a fun way of capturing everyday moments and the film prints are for personal use anyway, the Instax Square SQ20 might just be the camera for you.
Available at an SRP of P12,999 in authorized FUJIFILM dealers nationwide.
Art Alexandra Lara