Fujifilm Unveils Half-Frame Inspired X half Camera
Fujifilm has announced the X half, a compact digital camera that combines the aesthetic and experience of traditional half-frame film photography with digital technology.
Weighing approximately 240 grams, the X half features a vertically oriented 18-megapixel Type 1 back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a fixed 10.8mm f/2.8 lens, which provides a 32mm full-frame equivalent field of view. The lens also supports manual aperture control and autofocus with face and eye detection.
“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,” Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, Fujifilm North America Corporation, says. “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.”
The whole camera indeed is designed to simulate an analog experience, offering 13 built-in Film Simulations and 18 additional creative filters, including options like Light Leak, Halation and Expired Film. There is also a Grain Effect and a Date Stamp feature that replicates the timestamp aesthetics of older cameras. To further enhance the analog experience, the X half includes a tactile film advance lever that plays a functional role in image capture, especially when the camera is in “Film Camera Mode.” In this mode, users select a virtual roll of film with 36, 54, or 72 exposures. Each photo must be manually advanced using the lever, and there is no live view; composition is done through the optical viewfinder. The camera will not capture the next image until the lever is advanced. Upon completion or interruption of a roll, the app can render the digital equivalent of a contact sheet, complete with sprocket holes and frame numbering. Images are saved exclusively in JPEG format: the X half does not support RAW capture.
Here are some sample pictures with Alation, Expired Film and Light Leak filters on, courtesy of Fujifilm:
Another distinguishing feature of the X half is its “2-in-1” shooting mode. This function enables users to pair sequential vertical images or videos into a combined diptych, either in-camera using the film advance lever or through a companion smartphone app. The vertically placed sensor supports a shooting orientation aligned with classic half-frame film cameras.
The camera interface includes two LCD touchscreens: a small display for film simulation selection and a larger vertically oriented rear screen for menu navigation and image review, while connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C, and the device supports direct printing to Instax printers. The camera also features a cold shoe, a built-in LED flash, and uses Fujifilm’s NP-W126S battery, offering up to 880 shots per charge when using the optical viewfinder.
Video recording is supported at a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels in a 3:2 aspect ratio, and video clips can be included in 2-in-1 composites. A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter allows for external microphone input.
The Fujifilm X half will be available in silver, charcoal, and black finishes. It is expected to be released in late June 2025 with a retail price of $849.99 USD.
