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Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo vs Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.2 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about casual users wanting vintage-style square prints — read the strengths below before deciding.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
Ranked #13 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
4 sourcesall derived$219as of Jul 31

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid digital instant camera, bringing traditional instant photography together with digital convenience. Reviewer Mark G Adams traces how it went from a fun, experimental device to a practical tool for printing family memories across three years of use. It carries a 28mm f/2.0 lens with dial controls for lens and film effects, a selfie mirror, and smartphone connectivity for remote control and social sharing. Purists who want a fully analog instant camera may not warm to it, but as a printer for digital images it does the job well, with a nostalgic feel attached. Casual users and families who want digital flexibility plus instant prints are the audience.

Strengths
  • — Combines digital camera functionality with instant film printing capabilities
  • — Features 10 lens effects and 10 film effects that can be combined for 100 different looks
  • — Includes built-in selfie mirror and dual shutter buttons for versatile shooting
Watch-outs
  • — Not suitable for die-hard instant photography enthusiasts who prefer traditional film cameras
  • — Limited 5MP resolution when capturing images digitally
$219 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
6 sources$249as of Jul 31

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is a compact instant camera shooting the newer Instax Square format, which yields wider square prints with a vintage Polaroid look. PCMag's Jim Fisher described the analog process, where the image surfaces gradually 90 seconds after the shutter fires. Camera Labs' Gordon found it close to the SQ1 model but dressed up more seriously. A built-in flash and viewfinder are included, and it runs Instax Square film at 10 prints per cartridge. Reviewers pointed to the two limits: Square film only, and a price above the alternatives.

Strengths
  • — Uses fully analog process with prints emerging 90 seconds after shooting
  • — Produces wider square prints reminiscent of vintage Polaroids
  • — Includes built-in flash and viewfinder for easy framing
Watch-outs
  • — Limited to single print shape (cannot use Mini film)
  • — Relatively expensive compared to other instant cameras
$249 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo distinguishes itself from the Mini 12 by offering digital functionality and smartphone app integration, which the Mini 12 lacks entirely. While it's more feature-rich than the SQ6, it's less straightforward and more complex than the analog-only SQ6. Compared to the LiPlay Hybrid, it lacks the dedicated selfie camera and sound album features, though it's more affordable.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40

While the Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Twin Pack offers broader compatibility, the SQ40 camera uniquely produces wider square prints with a vintage aesthetic. Compared to the Polaroid I-2, it lacks advanced manual controls but provides a simpler, more analog experience. Unlike the Lomo Instant Square, it doesn't support dual formats or creative exposure modes, making it more straightforward for casual users.

Specs side-by-side

SpecFujifilm Instax Mini EvoFujifilm Instax Square SQ40
Film FormatInstax Mini FilmInstax Square
Lens28mm f/2.02components, 2elements, f = 65.75mm, 1:12.6
Shutter Speed1/8000th to 1/4 second—
Battery TypeBuilt-in lithium-ion—
FlashBuilt-in flash with automatic mode, and forced ON modeBuilt In Flash
Dimensions4.8 x 3.4 x 1.4 (123 x 87 x 36mm)—
Weight10.1 oz (285g)453g
ConnectivitySmartphone app support—
Battery—CR2 lithium
Color—Three options
Focusing—0.5m to infinity
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