Fujifilm has announced the Instax Square 2, ending a three-year quiet stretch for its square-format lineup. Priced at $119.95 in the US and CA$139.99 in Canada, the camera arrives before October ends alongside a companion film stock called Instax Square Haze.
The new model steps in after persistent inventory shortages plagued the older SQ1, which saw Fujifilm Japan issue apologies earlier this year when factory production failed to match customer orders. Square-format cameras have been scarce on store shelves over recent years, giving this release added weight for analog enthusiasts who prefer larger frames over standard Instax Mini prints. Unlike digital hybrid models or the dial-heavy Instax Mini 99, this body leans directly into simple analog operation.
Built-in glass tints
The headline feature sits directly on the lens housing. A manual switch rotates physical color filters into the optical path, letting photographers apply an amber tint or a cooler blue wash to their prints without snapping on external plastic caps.
Beyond that filter toggle, the physical controls stay basic. Twisting the outer lens ring powers the camera on and clicks between three preset zones: close-up for subjects between 0.3 and 0.5 meters, standard for 0.5 to 3 meters, and landscape for anything past three meters.
Exposure handling is fully automated. You cannot disable the flash, which fires on every frame, and square prints take roughly 90 seconds to fully develop. A front mirror assists with selfie framing, while the rear door features an optical viewfinder and a mechanical counter showing remaining shots.
In hands-on testing, Digital Camera World reported that the fixed flash occasionally blew out highlights in close portraits, while dim twilight shots in heavy foliage leaned dark under the automatic shutter.
Battery choices and film pricing
At 450 grams without film or cells, the Square 2 carries genuine bulk. The chassis measures 139 by 119.5 by 71 millimeters, leaving sufficient room in the right grip to run on four standard AA batteries. That deep handgrip gives fingers more use than smaller bodies in the Instax lineup. Using disposable cells instead of an integrated lithium pack matches entry-level bodies like the Instax Mini SE, letting owners swap cells instantly rather than waiting on a USB cord.
The $119.95 sticker sits slightly above the Instax Mini 13, yet undercuts the older SQ40. Film costs remain a key factor against rivals. Standard square cartridges run around $22 for a 20-shot double pack, working out to roughly $1.10 per image. By comparison, Polaroid charges $19 for an eight-shot pack of i-Type film.
Fujifilm is rolling out the hardware alongside Instax Square Haze film, priced at $18.99 in the US and CA$16.99 in Canada. The new emulsion softens contrast across the frame.
Pricing for India, the UK, and Europe was not shared at launch. Retail units and Haze cartridges start shipping to North American stores before the month wraps up.
GDFiled by The Gadgets Desk
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