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Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid vs Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

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 Mini LiPlay Hybrid comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about creative hybrid users — read the strengths below before deciding.

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid
4 sources$175as of Sep 25

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a hybrid of instant film and digital: it saves shots to internal memory or a microSD card so you choose which to print, and it doubles as a printer for photos sent from a smartphone. Reviewers liked its compact body and its many filters and frames, and it can record sound and print it as a QR code on the photo, though Tom's Guide found that feature a hassle and low-light performance subpar. Ease of use is the priority, with creative photo modes and audio built around it.

Strengths
  • — Selfie mirror on the front for framing self-portraits
  • — Records sound and prints it as a QR code that plays back from the photo
  • — Supports printing images from smartphone via Bluetooth and QR code audio clips
Watch-outs
  • — Filters can't be added after shooting
  • — Subpar low-light performance
$175 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Ranked #7 in Best Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
6 sources2 derived$19.99as of Sep 25

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 is a fully analog instant camera built for the newer Instax Square format, which prints at 2.4 x 2.4 inches. Dan Finnen of Dan Finnen Writing found the frame roomier than Instax Mini but said the camera doesn't do much to work around the format's limits for artistic use. Gordon from Camera Labs liked the simplicity and compact body while stressing that autofocus and flash settings often give inconsistent results. In print size and ergonomics the SQ6 lands between Instax Mini and Wide, without the advanced features digital competitors carry.

Strengths
  • — Simple analog design with no internal memory or screen, appealing to purists
  • — Compact size similar to Instax Mini 9, easy to handle
  • — Prints measure 2.4 x 2.4 inches (62 x 62 mm), wider than Instax Mini but smaller than Instax Wide
Watch-outs
  • — Small and awkward viewfinder, not much better than cheap rangefinder cameras
  • — Auto mode focuses between macro and landscape, resulting in soft images for close or distant subjects
  • — Flash off mode falls back on long shutter speeds, negating much of its value
$19.99 · 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 LiPlay Hybrid

Compared to the Mini 12, it offers more digital connectivity and smartphone app integration, though it's more complex and less straightforward. Unlike the SQ1, it's more feature-rich and offers hybrid functionality, but it's more expensive and less user-friendly.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 is more analog and traditional than the Evo, lacking digital features but offering better build quality and simpler operation. Compared to the SQ1, it's more practical and less prone to cheap construction issues, though it's less user-friendly due to its auto-focus limitations. Unlike the Mini 12, it's more consistent in its analog approach and lacks the modern convenience features.

Specs side-by-side

SpecFujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay HybridFujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Film FormatInstax Mini FilmInstax Square
Lens28mm equivalent f/2Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements
Shutter Speed1/4 to 1/8000 secondMechanical
Battery TypeRechargeable li-ion battery2 x AA batteries
FlashAuto, forced and suppressed flashBuilt-in automatic electronic flash
Dimensions82.5 mm × 122.9 mm × 36.7 mm118.7 mm × 128.1 mm × 58.1 mm
WeightApproximately 255 gApproximately 150g
ConnectivityBluetooth—
Image Sensor1/5-inch CMOS, 2560 x 1920—
Screen2.7-inch LCD—
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