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Man of Many
2 days ago
- Man of Many
Fujifilm X-Half Review: A Film Camera for People Who Hate Film Cameras?
By Nick Hall - Review Published: 13 Aug 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 10 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Fujifilm's new X-Half is a half-frame compact camera built in the spirit of a traditional film camera. is a half-frame compact camera built in the spirit of a traditional film camera. The latest release shares many similarities with the brand's much-loved X-Series cameras , albeit with some major technical differences. , albeit with some major technical differences. The X-Half features a 1-inch back-illuminated sensor, 10.8mm f/2.8 fixed lens (32mm equivalent) and 13 film simulations. Most notably, it comes in a vertical orientation, with the option to use ' Film Camera Mode ' to replicate the tone, feel and experience of film photography. ' to replicate the tone, feel and experience of film photography. It is priced at AUD$1,349 and is now available through Fujifilm retailers and online. When Fujifilm releases a new camera, the photography world takes note. The Japanese producer has been on a tear in recent years, leveraging remarkably versatile picture quality with stellar body builds and surprisingly affordable price tags, so when it announced the new X-Half, the internet went suitably nuts. Forums were loaded with chatter, and when the first pristine, intricately edited images hit social media, interest hit fever pitch. Touted as a 'first-of-its-kind,' the compact release walked the line between traditional film cameras and modern mirrorless, giving Fujifilm what it believed to be the best of both worlds. If you ask me, a pint-sized powerhouse that takes cues from iconic film cameras and fuses them with a dose of digital convenience is a recipe for a certified winner. The X-Half's quirky, vertical, and incredibly compact format makes it a serious head-turner, but after two weeks using the new camera, I am not entirely convinced. Nick Hall is a film photographer from Sydney, Australia | Image: Patrick O'Neil Why Trust Us As an avid film photographer and editor-in-chief of Man of Many, I've spent more than half a decade testing, trialling, and evaluating new cameras. Where possible, and in the specific case of the Fujifilm X-Half, we actively source the product directly from the manufacturer or distributor and complete a rigorous hands-on assessment, taking into account factors such as; Functionality Design Performance Availability Price Our brand mission is to arm you with the information you need to make a positive investment in yourself and your community, most notably through authentic and up-to-date buying advice. Additionally, we are a completely independent publication, meaning that we focus on editorial impartiality by employing a stringent review-testing process. Test shots from the Fujifilm X-Half Camera | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Fujifilm's Market Domination Now, if you, like me, have been paying attention to the global camera market, you may have noticed Fujifilm is everywhere. Over the past five years, the Japanese producer has dished up some of the most versatile, forward-thinking cameras in recent memory, and rightfully dominates the mirrorless space. As a film photographer, I rarely dabble in Fujifilm, but even I was taken by the brand's recent efforts. The X100VI is honestly one of the most impressive modern cameras I've used; my only real qualms are the interface and the fixed-lens design. Truly, Fujifilm is dominating the camera world right now, and a lot of that has to do with its Film Simulation Modes. Fujifilm Film Simulation Modes Fujifilm's secret sauce, the Film Simulation Modes, are essentially baked-in digital profiles designed to mirror and replicate the feel, tone, and colour of classic film stocks. We're talking tonal curves, grain structures, and shadow roll-off; these modes are definitely a step above your 2012 Instagram filter. The Classic Chrome, for instance, is like a take on the old Kodachrome magazine prints of the '80s, while Velvia is a faithful reproduction of the brand's real-life film stock of the same name. These modes have become the standard for travel photographers and those looking for that vintage vibe without the stress of actual film. Do they look like real film stocks? To me, not really, but they are pretty solid and definitely a lot of fun to use. Which is where the new X-half comes in. Fujifilm X-Half Review | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Meet the Fujifilm X-Half This is the X-Half: a vertical-oriented digital camera built in the spirit of half-frame film cameras. Lightweight at just 240g, the camera is designed to be carried everywhere, tucked into pockets, or slung on a wrist strap during a night out. It features: A 1-inch back-illuminated sensor A 10.8mm f/2.8 fixed lens (32mm equivalent) 13 film simulations, plus three new film-inspired filters (Light Leak, Halation, Expired Film) Touchscreen controls with a 3:4 rear LCD Up to 880 shots per charge Optical viewfinder optimised for vertical shooting WiFi app connectivity and Instax printing support The X-Half also brings some new tricks, like '2-in-1' shooting, which allows you to combine vertical stills into a film-strip-like diptych, and a Frame Advance Lever that mimics winding film (more on that in a sec). Fujifilm X-Half Review | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Build Quality: Charming But Plasticky At first glance, the X-Half is a looker. It shares DNA with the X-Series range, courtesy of the knurled dials, clicky buttons, and a solid tactile feel, but on closer inspection, the build does leave a little to be desired. It's fine, but not quite in the same league as the metal-bodied X100 series. Still, it's light, feels good in hand, and the throwback design will turn heads. Personally, one thing I really don't like is the Optical Window viewfinder. It's essentially just a pane of glass, so it doesn't show you aperture or exposure or, most importantly, if the lens cap is on. Being a primarily SLR film photographer, I'm so used to raising the viewfinder to my eye and being met with a wall of black to indicate the lens cap is still on. When I looked through the X-Half and saw the world in front of me, however, I didn't think twice. I must have shot an entire roll with the lens cap on, running around and snapping away with a big rubber stopper over the lens. To be fair, that's definitely my own downfall, but it bears reminding that the X-Half viewfinder is essentially just a window to the outside world, rather than a fully-fledged optical viewfinder. Outside of that, the control layout is intuitive, with an aperture ring that doesn't seem to do a whole lot and a very fun (but ultimately gimmicky) frame advance lever that is a nice throwback to film photography's golden age. Fujifilm X-Half Review | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many What is a Half-Frame Camera, Anyway? Now, if you are wondering what a half-frame camera actually is, you aren't alone. Popular in the analogue age, half-frame cameras used only half a standard 35mm frame for each photo. That meant you could get twice as many shots per roll—72 exposures instead of 36—but with a taller, narrower image. Think two portrait shots in one frame, rather than one landscape. The X-Half pays homage to that by shooting in a vertical orientation by default, and while that does feel like another great throwback to the heyday of film cameras, I think there is probably something more financially motivated here. With film photography rapidly gaining popularity among Gen Z consumers and with little marketplace to share the images, Fujifilm has cleverly created a 'film-style' camera that shoots predominantly vertical images, which is for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Stories. It's an old concept flipped to serve the vertical-first media world we live in, and it is an undeniably smart move. The Fujifilm X-Half App works to 'develop' your pictures | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Film Camera Mode: Faux-Manual Nostalgia Now, as a film photographer, the one setting that really caught my eye with the X-Half is, somewhat unsurprisingly, the Film Camera Mode. With this option, you pick a virtual roll size (36, 54, or 72 shots), choose a Film Simulation, and shoot without reviewing your images. You even have to 'wind' the frame lever between shots, which is a fun little addition. Most importantly, it captures the real essence of the film photography shooting experience—being in the fucking moment. There's no delete, no preview—just click, wind, move on. You can't even exit Film Camera Mode until your entire roll is done. It's a performative analog experience, and while it's fun, film purists might roll their eyes. Still, for people raised on phone cameras, it introduces the restraint and anticipation of film shooting—without the lab costs or blurry surprises. The key to this is the new X-Half App. The X-Half App: Film Processing 2.0 Fujifilm's new X-Half smartphone app is a core part of the ecosystem. It lets you: Review and edit your shots Create 2-in-1 image composites Apply digital borders and tweaks Upload directly to social platforms Send images to your Instax printer The editing features feel more like part of a mobile film lab than a Lightroom replacement. Once you shoot a film roll, you connect the X-Half to your phone and undergo a 'processing'. Here, the app will perform a sort of five-minute darkroom session on your photos and serve them up directly to your camera roll. It's a bit kitschy, but I actually kind of liked this, and it reminded me of why I got into film photography in the first place. Fujifilm X-Half Review | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Verdict: A Digital Camera for the TikTok Age If you ask me, the Fujifilm X-Half is a clever prospect. The brand is clearly leveraging the popularity of film photography with youth audiences while also providing a touch more convenience and speed. What's more, the half-frame design is perfect for social media, so it's a bit of a no-brainer for Fujifilm. I can definitely see the X-Half being a huge hit with younger creatives who want something different—something that feels analogue, looks vintage, but fits neatly into a digital life. But for me, it's just too expensive. At AUD$1,349, this is a steep ask for what is essentially a fun, fixed-lens, social-first shooter. For that money, you could pick up a second-hand X100V or a Sony ZV-E10 with a lens. In many ways, the X-Half feels too digital for nostalgia hunters and not manual enough for film photography nerds. Don't get me wrong; the X-Half has a lot going for it, from great design to probably the most seamless integration of film simulation yet, but for me, it felt ultimately more novelty than necessity. But then again, I don't really think film photographers in their mid-30s are the intended target market. So, with that in mind, I'll leave you these final thoughts: If you're a creator looking for a stylish camera to elevate your social game—this is it. If you're a film photographer looking for a true hybrid, the X-Half might feel like a missed opportunity. If you just want a fun, casual camera with vintage vibes and film-style looks, the X-Half is definitely going to make you crack a smile. DISCLAIMER: The author of this post, Nick Hall, was temporarily provided an X-Half unit courtesy of Fujifilm for the purposes of this review. All reviews remain independent and objective. For more information on how we test products, view our editorial guidelines here. Test shots from the Fujifilm X-Half Camera | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Test shots from the Fujifilm X-Half Camera | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Test shots from the Fujifilm X-Half Camera | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I tried Fujifilm's X-Half– the film-inspired camera that's transformed my Instagram feed
We review Fujifilm's new X-Half camera, designed to give you film-filtered images at the touch of a button I'm someone who edits every photo I take. I can't help it, whether it's a shot of a beauty product I'm trialling for work or a snap of my gorgeous baby nieces, I'm straight into my Tezza app, tweaking contrast and slapping on a filter until it looks magical. But recently, I've been feeling a bit burnt out on phone photos, and I've wanted to go back to taking a camera out with me to capture moments (more for curated Instagram snaps, rather than full Facebook albums this time, though!). My aim was to find something that takes high-quality photos but isn't intimidating with 45 different dials. The Fujifilm X-Half promised all of that, and, spoiler alert, it delivered. Designed to mimic the feel of classic half-frame film cameras, the X-Half shoots pictures and videos vertically in a 3:4 format, perfect for Instagram, Reels and anything TikTok-friendly. It's tiny, super lightweight (240g) and the retro styling makes it feel more like a fashion accessory than a camera, in the best possible way. It only launched in June, but I'm already predicting it's about to be the 'it' camera for influencers and content creators. But don't let the aesthetic fool you because this little thing has some hi-tech features. It has a 32mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent) prime lens that's wide enough for everyday shooting and Fujifilm's signature Film Simulation modes that give you dreamy, vintage-style edits without needing an app. My favourite modes were Classic Chrome for a slightly faded, moody look and Velvia when I wanted my greens and blues to punch. There's also a film roll mode that lets you shoot a certain number of photos and only see them after they're 'developed' in the app. I'll be honest, I haven't used that setting much, but it's a really fun option. You also get Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for easy image transfers to your phone, a touchscreen LCD and a little manual-style lever on the top that you wind for 2-in-1 photos. It's not necessary, no, but it's definitely a fun feature. My verdict on the X Half Pros Vintage, tactile design Film Simulations look effective straight out of the camera Perfect vertical format for socials Good quality images for social In-camera 'film roll' mode adds nostalgic charm Compact and lightweight Easy film shooting Easy to get to grips with the shooting modes after a bit of practice You can send images to instax™ Link series smartphone printers Cons Fixed lens – no zoom No RAW shooting On the pricier side at £699 It doesn't come with a charger, which is disappointing for the price Battery life isn't amazing if you shoot a lot Shop for £699 on Argos I've been using the camera for a couple of weeks now, and I'm amazed to say I haven't used an editing app since I got it. I love how my images look, and it's really made me fall back in love with photography again. Is the camera perfect? No. The lack of zoom was a big downer for me, but I got over it fairly quickly. I also do think it should have come with a charging cable and plug for the price, but I did have a compatible wire already, so it wasn't a deal-breaker for me. Would I recommend it? If you're a professional photographer or love shooting RAW and getting technical, this probably isn't for you. If that's the case, I'd recommend you go for something like Canon's EOS R50, £619– great for beginners to intermediate users who want a stylish step up from smartphone photos with solid video specs. But if you're like me, someone who loves capturing everyday moments, wants better quality than your phone, and loves a bit of retro charm, the X-Half is a joy. Pop it on your Christmas or birthday wish-lists, you won't be disappointed!
