Fujifilm X Half Review: Digital Tech Meets Analog Fun!

The Fujifilm X Half is shaking up traditional photography norms with its native vertical format, designed with social media in mind. This compact camera with a 1-inch sensor focuses entirely on a “point-and-shoot” approach and bold creativity. Straddling the line between redefining mobile photography and captivating curiosity, its experience is as intriguing as it is improvable, yet irresistibly appealing for content creators.

Within the prestigious X series from Fujifilm, which now includes thirteen models, the X Half stands out as a maverick. Known for its X-Trans sensors and exceptional color rendering, the X series welcomes a device that opts for a conventional CMOS sensor, not intending to compete with its predecessors. Its target is not the technical photographer but the spontaneous content creator for whom the immediacy of Instagram and TikTok outweighs the perfection of raw files.

This shift is part of a year of intense innovation for Fujifilm, marked by the viral phenomenon of the X100VI, the release of the versatile X-T50 and X-M5, and the very recent X-E5. At the same time, the brand continues to push the boundaries of large format, notably with the Fujifilm GFX100RF.

The uniqueness of the X Half lies not in its specs – deliberately limited, lacking RAW and 4K video – but in a user experience that reinvents “creative constraint,” if you will.

Its quirky modes, such as the “2-in-1,” which merges two vertical shots, or the “film” mode that delays viewing of photos via an app, encourage different composition, reconnecting with the anticipation and surprise — somewhat akin to the excitement of developing film.

In the face of the algorithmic abundance of smartphones, the Fujifilm X Half offers an extraordinary photographic experience that celebrates instinct, priced to directly compete with much more conventional devices.

Fujifilm X Half Technical Specifications

The X Half is equipped with a 1-inch 17.74-megapixel CMOS sensor with a traditional Bayer matrix (not Fujifilm’s usual X-Trans technology). Its most significant feature is that it is physically installed vertically. Consequently, the camera natively produces vertical images.

To achieve a landscape format photo, one must not only rotate the camera 90 degrees but also manually rotate the file on a computer or smartphone.

Technically, the camera is straightforward. It has a hybrid autofocus that combines phase and contrast detection, with face and eye recognition, available in spot or continuous mode. However, it lacks image stabilization.

The shutter is purely mechanical, with speeds ranging from 15 minutes to 1/2000s. This means that under intense light, one must close the aperture to avoid overexposing the photos or manually place an ND filter in front of the lens (which lacks threading for a circular filter).

True to the philosophy of the camera, there is no electronic shutter or burst mode.

Fujifilm X Half Minimalist Design

Extremely compact (112.5 x 64.5 x 39.0 mm), the Fujifilm X Half easily slips into a jacket pocket and is almost forgettable. Even next to the slim X100VI, it appears tiny. Weighing just 240 grams, the X Half is a featherweight. Despite the absence of a grip, the thickness of the body ensures a surprisingly good hold, and its light weight makes one-handed use not only possible but comfortable. Only in high heat, when hands may become sweaty, is it advisable to use a wrist strap.

Everything is designed for verticality, from the handling to the streamlined interface where the few physical controls are easily accessible. The tactile pleasure of the notched rings – exposure on top, aperture on the lens – is a deliberate nod to Fujifilm’s classic ergonomics.

However, the hardware design reflects this commitment to lightness. The camera’s chassis is forged from magnesium alloy, a sign of rigidity, yet the feel in the hand is far from the premium density of an X100VI.

The X Half resembles a luxury toy, a design object meant to be seen rather than a tool built for rugged field use. This isn’t a flaw; it’s a choice. Brand enthusiasts may find it disconcerting. And unsurprisingly, the device is not built for inclement weather: there is no mention of weather-sealing. It is a fair-weather body, a companion for urban wandering.

The minimalism extends to its reduced connectivity: just a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and a single SD card slot. There are no audio ports—no mic input, no headphone output.

Another sacrifice at the altar of simplicity, definitively limiting the device to pure image capture, far from any serious video ambition.

Fujifilm X Half Control and Navigation

Customization is pared down to the basics: there are no customizable function (Fn) buttons. The philosophy is clear: choices are made for you. The only direct physical controls are the exposure compensation dial (+/- 3 EV), the aperture ring, a button to switch between photo and video, a playback button, and the shutter release.

Menu access is solely via the touchscreen. Swiping from the edges of the screen brings up various options. The interface is visually simplistic. It includes PASM modes, autofocus choices (single, continuous, manual), face and eye detection activation, and white balance settings.

The setup is intuitive for a novice, but more experienced photographers will quickly feel constrained.

The most distinctive feature is the X Half’s rear lever, reminiscent of a film camera’s advance lever, which activates a creative function to merge the next photo with the previous one—this also works in video mode—as well as to “recock” in film mode for the next shot.

Fujifilm X Half Performance

The X Half is equipped with a classic 1-inch sensor, without Fujifilm’s X-Trans technology, set vertically to naturally produce vertical images.

To get a landscape-format photo, you not only need to turn the camera 90 degrees but also manually rotate the file on a computer or smartphone.

On the technical side, the camera keeps it simple. It features a hybrid autofocus that combines phase and contrast detection, with face and eye recognition, in either spot or continuous mode. However, there’s no image stabilization.

The shutter is purely mechanical, with speeds ranging from 15 minutes to 1/2000s, meaning you’ll need to close the aperture in bright light to prevent overexposure or manually position an ND filter in front of the lens (which lacks threading for a circular filter).

Consistent with the camera’s philosophy, there is no electronic shutter or burst mode.

Fujifilm X Half Objective: Adequate but Unremarkable

The X Half is equipped with a fixed 10.8 mm lens, equivalent to a 32 mm in full-frame format. Its f/2.8 aperture makes it sufficiently bright for most situations. However, don’t expect exceptional optical performance. Sharpness (detail clarity) is acceptable at the center of the image but is not particularly impressive.

The lens features a notched aperture ring with only 5 positions (f/2.8, 4, 4.6, 8, and 11) and an automatic mode. Manual focusing is possible via a free ring on the nose of the lens.

The lens’s color rendition is fairly neutral, lacking the engaging character that some other Fujifilm fixed lenses, like the one on the X100VI, might offer. It’s an honest lens, but not the element that will give the images a memorable character; that role is entirely up to the film simulations.

Fujifilm X Half Photos: Hit or Miss

Fujifilm’s most radical choice is the total abandonment of the RAW format. The X Half only produces JPEG files, meaning the rendering is fixed at the moment of capture, with editing possibilities on a smartphone or computer, but less flexibility than with a RAW file.

Unlike a smartphone or even other cameras in the X series, it includes no advanced exposure aids. Forget about automatic shadow lifting or real-time highlight recovery; the extended dynamic range modes (DR200, DR400), a hallmark of Fujifilm, are missing.

Result: the camera does not compensate for high-contrast scenes. Backlit scenes will result in blocked shadows, where an iPhone, for example, would often produce a well-balanced image. The photographer must therefore master exposure at the source, as in the days of film.

Still, Fujifilm’s color science remains a strong point. Thanks to the 13 film simulations, the JPEGs produced have undeniable character and chromatic richness.

However, noise management shows weaknesses as soon as the light dims. Without as effective noise reduction as on other models, the image “buzzes” and loses detail starting at ISO 1600, and noise becomes very noticeable beyond that, accentuated by the JPEG compression.

Perplexing Film Mode

Fujifilm endowed the X Half with a blind photography mode, allowing shots to be taken with only the optical viewfinder for framing, and without the ability to review the images immediately.

It’s the film mode, which forces you to choose a film simulation and allows for taking 36 or 72 consecutive photos. For each, you must recock the camera with its lever, otherwise, no photo is possible.

Then, to see them, you must use the Fujifilm X Half app and be patient, as development takes a few seconds per photo.

Disconcerting 2-in-1 Mode

Another curiosity, the 2-in-1 mode allows you to combine two vertical photos into one square-format image. You can’t choose from existing photos: the combination is only possible with a new photo and the last one taken.

The only flexibility offered is the positioning of the second photo: left or right, and for that, you must operate the cocking lever.

Fun Creative Filters

In addition to the dozen film simulations, the X Half integrates just as many creative filters, including double exposure, light leak, toy, and fish-eye modes.

Each requires a bit of learning to fully exploit, but they are clearly one of the camera’s strengths.

Fujifilm X Half Video: Limited Resolution

The video section of the X Half is in line with the rest: simple, with strong choices that make it suitable for a very specific use.

The image quality is modest. The camera records in a resolution of 1440x1080p at 24 fps (H.264, 50 Mbps), a format below the standard Full HD (1920×1080) and far from the 4K HDR offered by smartphones. While this resolution is adequate for clips intended for TikTok or Instagram, it lacks finesse and detail on a larger screen.

Where the X Half stands out is with its “2-in-1” video mode. It combines two vertical clips to create a single video of 2160×1440. The main constraint is that the two clips must be captured one after the other, which can hinder spontaneity. It’s hard to tell if this mode will find its audience, as mobile video editing apps offer even more varied effects.

Regarding autofocus, the system is generally discreet and reliable on static subjects. However, it shows its limits when tracking moving subjects. The lack of speed transition settings makes it poorly suited for dynamic scenes.

Despite these limitations, the camera has one advantage: Fujifilm’s film simulations are applicable in video, allowing for a well-crafted color rendering right from the shot. The absence of a log profile, however, prevents any extensive color grading in post-production.

Fujifilm X Half Battery Life: Impressive Endurance

This is an unexpected strength of the X Half. Despite its small size, the camera offers remarkable battery life.

Fujifilm claims about 880 photos per charge with the NP-W126S battery (CIPA standard), an excellent figure that allows for a full day’s shooting, or more, without worry. Charging is done via a USB-C port in about two hours.

Fujifilm X Half Price and Availability

The Fujifilm X Half is available in black, anthracite, and gray at a price of 799 euros. This price, far from trivial, is justified less by its components than by its originality.

Compared to the competition, the positioning of the X Half is delicate. The comparison with a high-end smartphone (an iPhone costs close to 1000 euros) stops at portability: the latter surpasses it in versatility and processing power, especially in video.

Even more striking, for a slightly higher budget, the Fujifilm ecosystem itself offers a formidable alternative. A bare X-M5 body with an excellent Viltrox 23 mm f/1.7 lens costs around 1100 euros and delivers incomparably better performance: APS-C X-Trans sensor, RAW files, interchangeable lenses, and 6K video.

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