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I woke up this morning and for some reason I was just thinking that camera manufacturers have been trying to go retro with just the look, but not the feel of an analog film camera. What photographers needed was a simple but reliable modern digital camera with just the basic features and the “feel” of using an analog camera. And then I turned on my computer to the Fujifilm X half announcement.
With the Fujifilm X half, Fujifilm is melding two wildly successful concepts: the X100 Series cameras and the instax instant film cameras. It’s like having both a digital camera and an instant film camera in one. You shoot digitally on the X half and you can print directly to select instax smartphone printers. Included is a mix of the 13 most popular Film Simulations from the digital X Series, 15 filters (16, if you count Double Exposure as a filter), and an additional 3 new filters to simulate LIGHT LEAK, HALATION and EXPIRED FILM.
Targeted primarily to Gen Z users, the X half does not just look classically retro (Fujifilm designers seem to have acquired the Leica design touch for creating beautiful cameras), it even simulates the use of an analog film camera to help you experience how it used to be shooting with film, but with a modern twist: The Film Camera Mode allows the user to select a roll film of 36, 54 or 72 exposures, complete with the need to advance to the next frame using the Frame Advance Lever. How neat is that! Of course, that also means you are “stuck” with the number of frames and whatever Film Simulation you at first selected, and there’s no using the back LCD for Live View or playback. Like on a real film camera, you’ll be using the (smallish 0.38x magnification vertical orientated) optical viewfinder to compose your shot. To further the analog experience, there is an Aperture Ring if you want to manually select an aperture and a Focus Ring if you choose to manually focus the lens.
You go shoot and, just like on a film camera, you must wait until the roll of “film” is done before you can “develop” the “negatives” in the X half app to get a digital contact sheet and see the results. You wanted analog film experience, you got it! I can see friendly photography competitions arising from using the Film Camera Mode to see who shot the best 36 pictures, no digital cheating allowed or even possible here. Also, how about just going of a relaxing photo trip, trust your eyes, shoot 36 frames, go get a coffee and then return home to develop and enjoy what you shot?
Of course, the X half is still very much a modern digital camera with a 1-inch (Type 1) 17.74MP back-illuminated sensor, Face and Eye Detection autofocus, a fixed 10.8mm (32mm equiv.) F2.8 prime lens. a leaf shutter capable of shooting from 15 min. to 1/2000 sec., PASM mode, a small built-in LED flash, and two vertical rear LCD displays (one for the Film Simulation and a 2.4-in. 920K-dots touchscreen for the image). The X half is primarily a still photography camera though you can shoot video at 1080/24P.
Now for the big question: is this a diptych camera? Definitely. There is a 2-in-1 feature that allows you to combine vertical stills and movies in-camera (though the two stills or movies must be taken immediately one after the other). You can also select any still image combinations (so these do not have to have been taken one after the other) if you instead go through the dedicated X half smartphone app. So, the X half is very definitely a camera that is capable of being intuitively and creatively used for diptych photography.
The FUJIFILM X half is expected to be available late June 2025 at a MSRP of $849.99 USD and $998.99 CAD. The X half app is yet to be released and no release date has been announced so far.
PRESS RELEASE
Fujifilm Introduces X half™ Premium Compact Digital Camera
Designed with emerging imagemakers in mind, X half is a modern take on a classic photo style
VALHALLA, N.Y., MAY 22, 2025 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging Division, today announced the launch of its FUJIFILM X half™ premium compact digital camera (X half). Inspired by half-frame film cameras, best known for how they are casually used on the go, the compact size and light weight frame (8.5 ounces/240g)[1] of X half blends its modern functions with its half frame DNA to bring a new and innovative approach to content creation. Features include a dedicated smartphone application[2] and the ability to directly print to select FUJIFILM instax™[3] smartphone printers directly.
“X half is special because it rekindles our love for the compact camera and blends it with the modern sensibilities that make it easy to make a part of our everyday lives,” said Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “This aligns perfectly with the growing trend of users, especially among Gen Z, who want dedicated devices to use alongside their smart devices as they try to find the balance between minimizing distractions, while documenting and sharing their lives online.”
Main Features:
- The design of X half carries on the classic form and function of the FUJIFILM X Series, with its use of an aperture ring, Frame Advance Lever, and other controls to deliver a satisfying tactile response that celebrates the functionality of traditional analog photography.
- The in-camera 2-in-1[4] feature allows users to combine vertical stills and movies with a simple winding of the Frame Advance Lever Users can also create 2-in-1 images with selected still image combinations through the dedicated X half smartphone app[5]. The app enables simple and intuitive editing, including changing dividing line colors and sizes or swapping left and right images.
- X half is equipped with 13 Film Simulations[6] that provide a myriad of opportunities for users to emulate classic Fujifilm analog film varieties as well as three new creative filters inspired by film photography: Light Leak, which creates a slightly exposed look to the image; Halation, a halo effect that appears around light sources; and Expired Film, which mimics the grainy look of older analog film. In addition to these filters, X half also includes an additional eight filters from the instax™ instant camera series.
- Film Camera Mode lets users digitize the experience of using a classic one-time use film camera. After selecting a Film Simulation to use and the a roll size of 36, 54, or 72 exposures, users will experience an analog-like experience with X half, complete with the need to wind the camera’s Frame Advance Lever after making each image, perfectly replicating the classic analog photography experience.
- FUJIFILM X half app will allow users to view still images and movies in gallery or album format, directly upload images to social media, or print to an instax™ Link series[7] smartphone printer.
- The camera features a new intuitive touch-screen interface that is easily navigated using the camera’s two rear LCD monitors. Smooth touch operations allow the user to intuitively change image settings and Film Simulations, providing comfortable operability in a compact body.
- When creating images, X half includes a Grain Effect option that 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 and is also equipped with a new “Date Stamp” function, making it possible to imprint dates in the bottom right of images and movies like film photos.
- A 1-inch back-illuminated sensor and 10.8mmF2.8 prime lens (equivalent 35mm focal length of 32mm), gives Fujifilm’s one-time-use QuickSnapTM camera enthusiasts a similar angle of view and digital way of making memories in the moment.
- X half features a 3:4 aspect ratio rear LCD monitor and optical viewfinder for vertical composition of photos and videos.
- Create up to 880 frames on one battery charge[8].
Pricing and Availability:
FUJIFILM X half compact digital camera is expected to be available late June 2025 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $849.99 USD and $998.99 CAD. For more information, please visit https://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/cameras/x-hf1/.
[1] The weight includes a battery and a memory card.
[2] X half app availability to be announced.
[3] Compatible models: instax mini Link2™, instax mini Link3™, instax SQUARE Link™, instax Link Wide™ (each sold separately).
[4] A composition created by dividing a 3:2 screen in the center and placing 3:4 vertical still images/movies on both the left and right sides to create a photo composition or movie composite.
[5] Creating 2-in-1 images that include movies is only available in-camera, not with the app.
[6] X half does not provide PRO Neg. Std, PRO Neg. Hi, ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS, MONOCHROME, or MONOCHROME Ye/R/G.
[7] Images taken in Film Camera Mode cannot be printed directly through the X half to an instax™ Link series smartphone printer (sold separately).
[8] Creating 2-in-1 images, using the flash, and recording video will reduce the battery life. The 880 frames is in regard to normal photo mode only.
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