Taking photos with a smartphone is convenient, but most pictures stay in the camera roll. Instant cameras offer something different: a physical photograph you can give to someone, display on your desk, or keep in an album. With an analog instant camera like the SQUARE 2, the downside is that you cannot review a shot before printing, and every mistake costs a sheet of film.
Price: $119.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
The new Fujifilm instax SQUARE 2 keeps the familiar instant-camera experience while adding more control over how photographs look. Announced on October 13, 2026, it introduces Warm and Cool Mood Filters, three focusing modes, and a redesigned body. It uses instax SQUARE film, producing the square prints that have become a recognizable part of Fujifilm’s instant-camera lineup.
Square Photos Give You More Room to Work With
The instax SQUARE format produces photographs with an image area measuring 62 × 62 mm, or approximately 2.44 × 2.44 inches. Compared with the narrower instax mini format, the square shape gives photographers more room to include people and their surroundings.
That can make a difference when photographing friends at a party, a pet sitting beside you, or a scene where the background matters. You can include more of the setting without turning the camera sideways or crowding subjects into a narrow composition.
The SQUARE 2 is a fully analog camera with an optical viewfinder. There is no screen for previewing photographs, and you cannot delete an image after pressing the shutter. Each exposure produces a physical print, making framing and timing more important than they are with a smartphone.
Warm and Cool Filters Change the Look Before You Shoot
The biggest addition to the SQUARE 2 is its Mood Filter Switch, which offers Warm, Cool, and Off settings. Warm introduces golden tones, while Cool gives photographs a bluer appearance. Switching the feature off produces the camera’s standard color treatment.
Rather than applying digital effects, the camera uses physical filters positioned in front of the lens. The selected filter affects the photograph when it is captured, so the decision needs to be made before pressing the shutter.
Warm can complement portraits and indoor scenes, particularly when you want a softer, more inviting color treatment. Cool offers a different look for outdoor photographs or scenes where a blue tint suits the subject.
These are creative options rather than corrections for poor lighting. The final appearance still depends on the surroundings, exposure, and film being used.
Three Focusing Modes Cover Everyday Subjects
The SQUARE 2 has three shooting modes selected by rotating the lens ring. Each corresponds to a different focusing distance, making it easier to photograph subjects without navigating menus.
Close-up Mode covers approximately 0.3 to 0.5 meters, making it suitable for selfies and small objects. Standard Mode handles subjects between 0.5 and 3 meters, including portraits and casual snapshots. Landscape Mode is intended for subjects at least three meters away.
The differences matter when moving between subjects. Someone taking a selfie can use Close-up Mode, then switch to Standard Mode for a photograph of friends sitting across a table. Landscape Mode is better suited to distant scenery or buildings.
A small mirror beside the lens helps with selfie framing. Automatic exposure adjusts shutter speed and flash output to suit the scene. The flash fires with every shot, with its output adjusted automatically.
That may be inconvenient when photographing reflective objects or shooting somewhere flash photography is discouraged.
Fujifilm Also Introduces Soft Haze Film
Alongside the SQUARE 2, Fujifilm has announced instax SQUARE Soft Haze, a new film option designed to produce a softer appearance than standard color film.
According to Fujifilm, Soft Haze uses a newly developed emulsion that reduces saturation and contrast while producing glowing highlights and diffused shadows. The company describes the resulting photographs as having a warm, gentle appearance.
This gives photographers another option when choosing the look of their prints. Standard instax SQUARE film remains suitable for everyday photographs, while Soft Haze is intended for people who prefer softer colors and lower contrast.
Unlike the camera’s Mood Filters, which can be changed between photographs, the film’s characteristics remain consistent throughout the loaded pack. Soft Haze is sold separately in packs containing 10 exposures and is expected to be available in the United States in late October 2026 at a suggested retail price of $18.99 per pack.
Design, Colors, and Battery Power
Fujifilm has given the SQUARE 2 a rounded body with a textured grip and a prominent lens ring. The camera will be available in Misty White, Slate Blue, and Brick Red, offering three finishes without changing the camera’s features.
The controls are straightforward. The lens ring handles power and shooting-mode selection, while a separate switch changes the Mood Filter setting. There is no touchscreen or complicated menu system to learn before taking photographs.
The camera runs on four AA batteries, with an initial set of alkaline batteries included in the package. It also supports four AA NiMH rechargeable batteries, but alkaline and NiMH batteries should not be mixed. A hand strap and quick-start guide are also supplied, while instax SQUARE film must be purchased separately.
Fujifilm is introducing matching camera cases and an acrylic display frame as optional accessories. Once a photograph is taken, the film typically develops in approximately 90 seconds, although temperature can affect development time.
Price and Who Should Buy the Fujifilm instax SQUARE 2?
The Fujifilm instax SQUARE 2 is expected to be available in the United States in late October 2026, with a suggested retail price of $119.95. Film is an additional expense, and prices may vary between retailers.
The camera is a good fit for beginners, casual photographers, and people who enjoy bringing instant prints to parties, celebrations, and trips. Its square format works well for portraits and group photographs, while the Mood Filters provide a way to change the color treatment without learning complicated settings.
Buyers should consider the ongoing cost of film, the lack of a digital preview, and the flash firing with every shot. These limitations matter more if you frequently retake photographs or prefer precise control over lighting.
Price: $119.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
For anyone who wants an analog instant camera with straightforward controls and a choice of color treatments, the SQUARE 2 offers a useful combination. The Warm and Cool filters are its most notable addition, while the three focusing modes make it adaptable to everyday subjects.
