I’ve used the Fujifilm X Half, and it’s the perfect analogue-digital compromise

Introduction 

Fujifilm’s X Half camera might be one of the most unique cameras I’ve come across in recent years. 

Inspired by classic half-frame film cameras like the Fujica Half (1963), the X Half is a camera designed to recreate the analogue shooting experience in a digital format. The half-frame 3:4 images also lean into the vertical trend that has gained popularity on social media in the last decade. 

I was given the opportunity to take the camera out in Covent Garden ahead of its launch. Here’s how I found the experience. 

Design

• The X Half is very small and lightweight 
• The camera has two touch displays 
• There’s also an optical viewfinder 

The Fujifilm X Half has a very compact and lightweight design. The camera weighs just 240g including the battery and SD card, while the dimensions are comparable to a deck of playing cards. It wasn’t slim enough to slip into my jeans pocket like a smartphone, but I could definitely see it fitting snugly in a jacket pocket or a small bag. 

Compared to other Fujifilm cameras, the X Half has limited physical controls. There’s the exposure compensation dial on top and an aperture ring around the lens. There’s also a lever wrapped around the former that can be used to preview shots, access the 2-in-1 mode and move to the next frame in the Film Camera mode.

There’s a switch above the display to toggle between shooting stills and movies, and a Play button to view your shots. There’s also a flash switch on the side of the camera. 

Otherwise, everything is controlled by the touchscreens, plural. The main 2.4-inch LCD display has a 3:4 aspect ratio to match the images captured with the camera. You can tap on the screen to adjust the exposure levels, or swipe up, down, left and right to access more in-depth menus. 

To the left of the main display is a smaller vertical touchscreen you’ll primarily use to swipe through different Film Simulation modes and effects. This makes switching out the “film” in your camera easy (and free) with the swipe of a finger.

I didn’t find this second screen to be the most intuitive to use, as my initial assumption was that I needed to tap the screen. It also didn’t always pick up on my swipes on the first try. However, I do love how easy it is to move between different Film Simulation modes, and I can see displaying the name of the film next to the live preview of an image helping me to learn which Film Simulation modes I like best for different subjects and occasions. 

It’s also worth noting that the optical viewfinder is in the top corner of the camera. Like the main display, the OVF has a 3:4 aspect ratio to match the image size. The inclusion of the OVF adds to the analogue-like shooting experience, but it means you can’t preview the settings or any of the Film Simulation modes as overlays through the viewfinder. 

The Fujifilm X Half comes in three colourways – Charcoal, Silver and Black – and requires a single SD card. 

Features 

• The X Half shoots 3:4 and 2-in-1 images 
• There are loads of Film Simulation modes and effects to play with
• There’s also a Film Camera mode and Instax printer compatibility 

While the main aspect ratio the X Half is designed to capture is 3:4, or half-frame size, there is a 2-in-1 mode that allows you to capture two 3:4 images and place them side-by-side to create a horizontal image. I can see this being useful for capturing two perspectives of a scene or combining your view with a selfie for BeReal-like results, but displayed side-by-side. 

When it comes to film and effects, there are 13 total Film Simulation modes to choose from. Fujifilm assured us that all of the most popular options were present, though there are seven fewer Film Simulation modes than you’ll find on recent Fujifilm mirrorless cameras.

There are also plenty of analogue-inspired effects to play around and experiment with, including Light Leak, Expired Film, Halation, Toy Camera, Fisheye and Double Exposure, to name just a few. 

You can also choose to have a date stamp and grain effect on your images to add to that vintage feel, though I kept both off during my time with the camera. 

One of the most interesting features here is the Film Camera mode. This lets you choose one Film Simulation mode and the number of shots you’d like to take, and turns the camera into a film or disposable camera until you get through those shots. The LCD screen disables the live preview and shows the number of shots left, and there’s no way to view your images or exit Film Camera mode until it’s time to “develop” your contact sheet in the smartphone app. 

Sadly, I wasn’t able to test the Film Camera mode myself, as the app wasn’t available in app stores ahead of the launch for obvious reasons. However, I do think this mode sounds like a fun one to use at a festival or on holiday, and I am keen to test it out properly in a full review. 

The app also offers the option to download all of your images and combine images in the 2-in-1 mode, though you can, of course, access all your photos and videos directly through the SD card. 

Like other Fujifilm cameras, the X Half is also directly compatible with certain Instax printers, meaning you can print your snaps instantly at home instead of waiting for them to develop as you would a film camera. 

It’s also worth mentioning the battery life. Fujifilm claims the camera can capture 880 stills on one charge, though this isn’t something I could test in a hands-on setting. 

Image and video quality  

• The Fujifilm X Half has a 1-inch 17MP sensor and a 32mm prime lens 
• There’s no RAW support 
• You can record Full HD/24p video 

It’s also difficult to test the image quality from one hour with the camera, and I’m still deciding how I feel about this aspect. 

This camera’s 1-inch sensor is designed to capture 17-megapixel stills, while the 32mm fixed prime lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length. There’s no option to shoot RAW, meaning very little editing flexibility, and it’s worth noting that there’s also no support for continuous shooting. 

Like an instant or single-use camera, the X Half definitely forces you to abandon perfection and shoot in the moment. This makes it feel more gratifying when you capture a shot you like – and more disappointing when you miss them. It also gives the images a more “raw”, unplanned feel, which can be really nice for capturing a moment or memory as opposed to the perfect shot. 

Finally, this camera can record Full HD video at 24p, but I wouldn’t recommend the camera to anyone looking to use this feature. In fact, I think I would have preferred if Fujifilm had left out the video function altogether.