Half-frame cameras made sense when film was the only option for photographers so why has FUJIFILM just confirmed it’s releasing a digital version called X half‘? Because it can and it’s cool … obviously. In traditional half-frame cameras you are able to take double the amount of shots by using half the frame width on a roll of 35mm film. You end up with a roll of vertical shots, less resolution but more of them.
This does not really apply when it comes to digital cameras. You can shoot thousands of photos on one memory card and delete the ones you don’t like. FUJIFILM said the X half was “inspired by half-frame cameras but the company has taken the concept to a different level. This a a digital camera but it’s very analogue in its design.
The “X half” is a classic old-school body and it’s a thing of beauty. It’s only 240 grams and very small in the hand. It’s JPEG only and that actually suits the whole idea of this camera. It operates like a ‘real’ camera with a mechanical thumb winder to advance to the next frame.
The “X half” features a rear LCD monitor, in line with the sensor’s orientation, so vertical shooting influences will love it. The “2-in-1”*1 feature allows users to combine two still images or movies into one composition in-camera.
The optical viewfinder evokes the feel of film cameras, recreating and improving upon distinctive rendering capabilities. The camera features Fujifilm’s popular “Film Simulations” and “Grain Effect”, which reproduces the unique grain texture of film photos, along with new filters such as light leak and halation, to provide users with a wide range of creative options.
“The X half is truly pushing the boundaries of what Fujifilm can do as an imaging company,” , said Shaun Mah, General Manager of the Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM Australia.
” With the look and feel of a traditional half-frame film camera, but the internals and technology that come with digital imaging, this new camera is bound to bring more smiles to its users. With the introduction of the X half, we want to show our users that the feelings of nostalgia should not be a distant memory but should be embraced and shared by all. The new filters, such as light leak and expired film, will add to those feelings. The new dedicated X half app will make sharing your creations easier than ever before. There are two sides to every story, and I am looking forward to seeing what our users create with the new 2-in-1 mode.”
The “X half” has introduced the “Film Camera Mode” to simulate the nostalgic experience of film photography, inviting you to rediscover the magic and excitement that once felt lost. As you view subjects through the optical viewfinder, pull the frame advance lever on the camera’s top plate after each shot, and digitally develop images through the dedicated “X half app”.
FEATURES
- 3:4 aspect ratio rear LCD monitor and optical viewfinder for vertical composition.
- 1-inch back-illuminated sensor and a 32mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent) prime lens. The focal length is identical to that of a one-time-use camera. “
- You can easily create 2-in-1 images in-camera by combining vertical still images and movies with a winding up of the “frame advance lever”. You can also create 2-in-1 images with your favourite still image combinations through the dedicated “X half” app. The app enables simple and intuitive editing, including changing dividing line colours and sizes or swapping left and right images.
- 13Film Simulations that provide many different colour expressions, including “REALA ACE” to combine faithful colour reproduction with dynamic tonal expression.
- Three new filters inspired by film photography: “Light Leak”, “Halation”, and “Expired Film”. Allowing you to enjoy the unique expression of a film in a digital camera, as well as eight popular filters from the instax™ series.
- “Grain Effect” which adds natural grain to the entire image to create film-like textures. Various film grain textures can be applied to change the texture of still images and movies.
- “Date Stamp” makes it possible to imprint dates in the bottom right of images and movies like film photos.
- “Film Camera Mode”, recreating film photography in the digital era. By selecting a film simulation and number of shots at the start, you cannot review images until all shots are taken. Winding up the frame advance lever on the camera’s top plate after each shot enables the next shutter release. After taking the selected number of shots, transfer the image data to the new dedicated “X half app” to digitally develop, view, edit, and share the photos you have taken. Contact sheets are also saved after digital development.
- The new dedicated “X half app” will allow users to view still images and movies as if appreciating a gallery or album, directly upload images to social media, print to an instax™ Link series *7, and order photo products *8. The “X half” offers the joys of shooting, viewing, sharing, printing, and creating..
- Lightweight 240g body.
- New interface operated by swiping and flicking on the two rear LCD monitors. Smooth touch operations allow the user to intuitively change shooting settings and film simulations, providing comfortable operability in a compact body.
- The camera’s optical viewfinder captures scenes exactly as you see them, allowing you to shoot up to 880 frames and immerse yourself in photography all day without worrying about battery life.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
FUJIFILM X half will be available from 12/06/2025 for A$1,349
We’ll be showing more on Sky News Australia Weekend Edition this Sunday and a video review next week.
