When everyone’s chasing megapixels and digital photography wizardry, Fujifilm takes a hard left turn with a camera that deliberately limits you. The camera giant has now debuted the X Half, an analog-inspired camera with a vertically-oriented viewfinder that aims for vintage-style results. Not aiming to be your next professional workhorse, the camera simply asks that you have fun taking pictures.
Analog Soul, Digital Heart
The X Half draws direct inspiration from Fujifilm’s own FUJICA Half from 1963, a beloved compact camera that squeezed double the exposures from a roll of 35mm by shooting vertically oriented half-frames. That model became a cultural phenomenon in Japan for how it was tailored to casual street photography and basic everyday life. Six decades later, Fujifilm resurrects that spirit with a digital twist.
What’s fascinating with the X Half is how deliberately analog the experience becomes. Integral to the shooting experience is a tactile frame advance lever that can be pulled to create side-by-side diptychs, or engage Film Camera Mode where you’re locked into shooting 36, 54, or 72 frames, after which you can “develop” the photos through the companion app. The camera even generates contact sheets branded with your chosen film simulation. The analog simulation is furthered by the fact that you won’t see your photos until the roll is “finished.”
Vertical Vision
The 3:4 vertical orientation is popular in today’s social media world but here, it’s actually nodding to the traditional half-frame proportions while admittedly acknowledging how we naturally hold our devices today. The optical viewfinder, rear LCD, and even the 1-inch sensor are all rotated 90 degrees, creating a cohesive vertical shooting experience that should probably feel natural after you use it for a while. This isn’t too far off from our smartphones.
The main 2.4-inch touchscreen handles composition and playback, while a slim secondary display manages film simulations and menu navigation. This is nothing too groundbreaking but still solves the problem of the limited space on the back.
Creative Constraints
Compared to other X-series cameras that typically have dedicated dials and buttons for ISO, drive modes, etc., the X Half actually feels a bit limited in its physical controls, aside from the aperture ring and exposure compensation dial. However, the other analog features might make up for this downsized tactility.
For as rad as this camera is, Fujifilm made some interesting technical choices that might either thrill or frustrate potential buyers. No RAW shooting means you’re committed to your creative decisions in-camera, which is very much in the spirit of film photography but might turn off those just looking for a fun everyday shooter. The 13 film simulations get expanded with three new analog-inspired filters: Light Leak, Halation, and Expired Film effects.
The 32mm equivalent f/2.8 lens matches Fujifilm’s QuickSnap disposable cameras, delivering that slightly wide, character-rich perspective that defined casual film photography. At f/2.8 maximum aperture and no stabilization, you’re working within clear technical limitations, but that’s also the point.
Modern Compromises
The 1-inch sensor delivers 17.7 effective megapixels after cropping for the 3:4 format, which should provide plenty of resolution for social sharing and moderate-sized prints. Video capabilities feel very single-minded with 1080 x 1440 vertical recording that’s clearly designed for stories and reels rather than serious content creation.
Battery life promises 880 shots per charge, which is impressive given the tiny 240-gram body (8.46oz). For the full experience, you’ll definitely need the dedicated smartphone app that handles everything from creating custom diptychs to printing directly to Instax printers so you will be able to benefit a bit from the camera’s analog sensibilities.
Spec Sheet
Model: Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1)
Sensor: 1-inch (13.3 x 8.8mm), 17.74MP effective
Lens: 10.8mm f/2.8 (32mm equivalent)
Viewfinder: Optical (0.38x magnification)
Display: 2.4″ touchscreen + secondary LCD
Video: 1080 x 1440 vertical, 24p
Battery Life: 880 shots CIPA
Weight: 8.46oz (with battery/card)
Colors: Silver, Charcoal, Black
Price: $850
Pricing & Availability
Available in silver, charcoal, or black, the Fujifilm X Half launches in late June with a price tag of $850. Pre-orders are available now.
Recap
Fujifilm X Half Camera
Taking inspiration from a 1963 model, Fujifilm’s X Half is an analog-inspired digital camera with a vertical viewfinder that acknowledges the way we make content today while still nodding to the past.
