Cameras

Shooting with a Fujifilm Instax SQ6: Walkthrough, review, and sample shots

Squares are fun!

Published

June 26, 2018

Isa Rodriguez

There’s still something about instant cameras that excites me. Even in the age of Instagram and digital photos, I still find myself curious about the next new shooter that’ll be able to instantly print my pictures.

Fujifilm’s newest release, the Instax SQ6, is the latest camera to feed my instant photo obsession, and it uses the square film format.

What can it do and how is it different from previous Instax releases? Keep reading.

Looking retro

Right off the bat, let me say it: This is an Instagrammable camera. It has a cool retro look that makes it look classic, but fun. It looks so nice, it can pass as a set prop.

It comes in three colors: pearly white, slate metal black, and my favorite, a pink one.

This simple camera is pretty straightforward. Up front is a beautiful textured finish. You can find the flash, shutter button, and a selfie mirror here.

On the back is a slight grip, which houses batteries that power the device. There’s also the viewfinder, compartment for the film, and the different mode buttons.

Up top is where the film comes out, and of course, the on/off switch.

The SQ6 comes in a lightweight plastic body, but the design makes up for that. It’s not the most compact camera, but judging by how pretty it is, it seems this is a device that’s designed to be seen and shown off as opposed to being kept in a bag.

Getting started

Before anything else, let me go through loading film, as this is always the trickiest part to any new instant camera.

With the SQ6, it’s pretty simple: Load the cartridge, make sure the yellow strips match (on the cartridge and the camera) and you’re done! There’s also a counter on the lower right that shows how many shots you have left.

Now, there are a number of shooting modes on this camera. There’s automatic for normal shooting conditions, Macro mode for close-up shooting, Landscape mode, double exposure mode, and even modes to lighten or darken your shots.

The topmost button on the left controls the modes; below that is a Timer button, and under that is a Hold Flash button. Like most instant cameras, the flash goes off every time a photo is taken. If you’re in a super bright place and you want to take a photo, you can press the Hold Flash button so that the photo won’t come out as too bright. Fair warning though, the flash is automatically on for good reason.

Speaking of the flash, the camera comes with flash filters in different colors for some fancy Instax photo effects.

The SQ6 is a square format camera meaning it shoots in square film. These are available in white, and just recently, black — which looks awesome! Each cartridge houses ten shots.

Time to shoot photos!

Picture perfect?

I just love that there’s a Selfie mode on this thing. Being on this mode calibrates the settings so that it takes the best photo from as far as your selfie-taking hand can go. That selfie mirror in front really helps, too.

Of course, that was a mode I used a lot. The Double Exposure mode is pretty cool, too. When on this mode, you can press the shutter button twice and the effect is pretty trippy prints. Speaking of trippy prints, those colored filters also add a subtle color effect to photos that give them more character.

No samples from the Macro mode as I wasn’t even able to take a decent one; the photo shifts to the side when you shoot. 😅

My go-to for group photos was the timer shot. This ensures no shaky hands and wider space so that everyone can potentially fit. This yielded nice, clear photos — when we framed it right.

Admittedly, mistakes on instant cameras are pretty common, and that’s the beauty of it.

I can’t tell you how much film I wasted on shots I screwed up. Whether I accidentally pressed the shutter, framed it wrong, or cut somebody out, these are all moments that will be remembered years from now, all frozen in Instax photos.

Do I likey?

The SQ6 follows the SQ10 as part of the Instax square format camera line. But, that’s about all it follows from its semi-digital predecessor.

This camera looks retro because it is. It’s fully analog, meaning no photo saving or editing, and it runs on replaceable batteries, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Taking photos is as quick and simple as hitting the shutter button.

It’s an instant camera that’s straightforward and easy to use, which means it racked up fun points in that regard. Photo quality is definitely better compared to other instant cameras I’ve tried, and admittedly, that square black film looks great. Not to mention, it’s a pretty camera that’s very fun to use.

Yet another plus: The SQ6 retails for US$ 130 in the US, which is more than half the price of the previously released SQ10.

If you’re an avid instant camera fan and are into the old-school Instax feels, this shooter might be worth checking out. It’s a new camera with old tricks up its sleeves — and that formula actually works for it.

Cameras

Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines

Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators

Published

December 6, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.

The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.

It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.

Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.

This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.

Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.

Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.

In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.

Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.

Photo performance

For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).

The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.

Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.

This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.

Professional interface

Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.

There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.

During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.

Cameras

Sony launches the new Alpha 7 V

Get yourself a full-frame mirrorless camera for Christmas.

Published

December 4, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Are you still wondering what to get yourself for Christmas? If you have a good amount of leftover money after shopping for everyone else, Sony has a new camera just for you. Right on the cusp of the holiday season, the Sony Alpha 7 V is here.

The Sony Alpha 7 V is the fifth generation of the aforementioned series. The full-frame mirrorless camera uses a partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor to take photos with 33.0 effective megapixels.

Further, the new BIONZ XR2 image processing engine uses the Alpha series’ AI technology to deliver better imaging, Real-time Recognition Auto-Focus, and Real-time Tracking. To add to this, Sony is also launching the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II full-frame zoom lens to support the camera.

For connectivity, the camera supports Wi-Fi 6E GHZ for data transfers. It also supports USB-C connections for wired transfers.

To ease usage no matter the scenario, the Alpha 7 V comes with vertical format support and an adjustable electronic shutter sound. It also has a 4-axis multi-angle monitor for shooting in various angles. Finally, it has a better grip for stability.

For those long shoots, the camera has better power management. It also has a Monitor Low Bright mode to preserve the battery.

The Sony Alpha 7 V body is available from the end of December. Meanwhile, the kit and the lens will be available on February 2026. The body costs SGD 3,699. From now until December 31, customers will get a free 240GB CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A memory card.

Cameras

DJI Osmo Action 6 review: An adventurer’s best friend

This might be the best action camera yet?

Published

November 22, 2025

MJ Jucutan

My life as an athlete with a love for adventure often throws me into days that move faster than I can track.

One moment I am at the gym before sunrise, convincing myself that today I will stretch properly. Next, I am sprinting through airports or packing for a weekend race that I definitely did not plan for (but signed up for anyway because that is who I am).

When the DJI Osmo Action 6 entered my life, it felt like finding a piece of gear that immediately understood the mess I willingly put myself through.

I have always wanted a camera that could move with me (and survive me), preferably without making me feel guilty every time I jump off something or run through something.

I wanted a camera that did not need pampering. Something that would not make me pause my life so I could “protect the gear.”

Then suddenly, there it was. I had an entire month with the Osmo Action 6, and it almost felt like the universe handed me something that finally matched my pace. It followed me through unexpected moments that felt too good not to capture.

Made for those who ~really~ move

The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to hold the Osmo Action 6. It felt secure even when my hands were wet or drenched in sweat from training, as if it wasn’t bothered at all that I was already exhausted at 7 a.m.

Most of its controls are placed so intuitively that it felt like the camera was gently guiding me, saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just press this. Go live your life.”

The user interface was so straightforward that even people who have never touched an action camera would know what to do.

The screen reacts quickly and the settings are easy to reach. Its layout feels like it was made for people who move first and think later.

It removes every excuse to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to understand how the device works.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Out of the box, the Osmo Action 6 gives you everything you need: a 1.5m extension rod, three Extreme Battery Plus units inside a multifunctional battery case, two locking screws, a curved adhesive base, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and two Dual-Direction Quick Release Adapter Mounts.

Depending on your lifestyle, accessories like the floating handle, the dual direction mini extension rod (which doubles as a tripod), the 360-degree wrist strap, and the hanging neck mount all serve one purpose: keep you hands-free so you can focus on living your story.

Inside a race course

During the Spartan Race’s Asia-Pacific Championship in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, I joined the open category simply because I wanted to film my moments inside the course.

I could never join the Age Group Championship wearing a red band only to slow down for content. My competitive self would revolt.

I have always raced in the front pack with elite athletes and seasoned racers. Content creation is a blessing until you’re in a race and your pride says absolutely not.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

So my friend (also an elite athlete) and I became last-minute racers thanks to Mang Inasal Philippines. We joined the Sprint Category, which covers 5 kilometers with 20 obstacles (plus three extra because championship vibes).

Armed with only the Osmo Action 6 on a dual direction mini extension rod, I climbed walls and nets, carried sandbags, passed through hanging obstacles, and ran under an open trail where the sun genuinely felt personal.

Alviera is hot. We call it Hellviera for a reason. Yet the camera kept going despite direct sunlight and constant movements.

I dialed the resolution down to 2.7K because long 4K recording will always test thermal limits. Even then, it stayed reliable.

Like a scene straight out of an adventure documentary

The stabilization was genuinely magical. The frame stayed clean and level even when my hands were doing a million different things, like swinging my arms, gripping nets, adjusting grip, and bracing for impact.

Whether you choose RockSteady or HorizonSteady, your running sequences will look cinematic and documentary-level.

When we climbed or jumped, the shots had that adventure-film energy. There were no jitter or weird warping. No “Sorry, can you do that again?” moments.

We did not need retakes, and we did not need to check footage mid-race. The Osmo Action 6 kept up with the pace of an endurance athlete.

The built-in microphones even picked up our voices clearly. Pair it with DJI’s wireless mic and you get clean commentary that feels like the behind-the-scenes of your own sports film.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Calm moment underwater

One of the most meaningful moments came when I lent the Osmo Action 6 to GadgetMatch’s Account Manager and Resident Host, Noela Amparo-Oro, for her birthday.

She wanted to celebrate by freediving, which honestly feels like the most poetic thing you can do for yourself. So I handed her the camera and said, “Go live your birthday moment. Capture it.”

Action cameras deserve to see actual action, not city sidewalks pretending to be adventures.

Noela had fun descending into the clear blue water. The footage she brought back made my heart stop for a moment. It was surreal. Like she had slipped into another world and returned with proof that it existed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noela 🎧❣️🎶 (@noeyylovesyou)

I have seen plenty of underwater clips from action cameras that turned murky or desaturated, requiring heavy color adjustments. The Osmo Action 6 did not do that. Underwater, it preserved colors beautifully.

The details of her movements; the subtle shimmer of light across her skin; and the calm flow of bubbles. Everything was captured with clarity that felt emotional.

The Osmo Action 6 handled depth and shifting light with ease. Watching the clips felt like I had been there beside her, suspended underwater.

Even Noela could not believe the footage. And the fact that the camera does not need an underwater case up to 20 meters makes the experience feel even more freeing.

A picture quality to love

The Osmo Action 6 uses a large 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor that lets in more light, allowing underwater clips to remain balanced and detailed even in low-light environments.

With 10-bit color support, gradients in the water and sky looked vivid. The variable aperture paired with the sensor gives you the flexibility to shoot under harsh sunlight or underwater without losing depth or mood.

Exposure transitions also felt natural, and the highlights stayed controlled while the shadows held detail. The Osmo Action 6 preserved the emotional tone of each scene without flattening the story.

As James Rusameekae from Physical: Asia said, it is simply “Wow!”

Is the DJI Osmo Action 6 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment I threw it into. Water, low light, heat, fast movement, and unpredictable conditions? It handled everything with ease.

I collected footage filled with emotion and energy, and everything remained steady and sharp.

The clips felt complete even before editing, like they were already telling a story. (I uploaded some of them straight to my Instagram Story!)

If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.

It feels like the kind of gadget you bond with, which makes it a Swipe Right!

Anyone who wants a companion for adventures will find comfort in the Osmo Action 6. For me, it is a Super Swipe.

With the experience I had, and the ease it brings to my life whenever I am out and about, PhP 24,390 for the Standard Combo feels like an investment in moments that matter.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

If you do not live an active lifestyle, the Osmo Pocket Series or Osmo Nano might suit you better since it is built for city travelers. But if you want to look adventurous — and you have the budget — who am I to stop you?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 retails for PhP 29,990 for the Adventure Combo, giving you all the accessories you may or may not need.