Latest news with #FujifilmXhalf
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- The Citizen
Fujifilm launches X Half camera to make photography fun again
The X Half's simplicity is very much the point. With the proliferation of mobile cameras, which have taken massive leaps in photographic technology, Fujifilm South Africa is reinventing what it calls the 'charm of film photography' in a digital format with the Fujifilm X half (X-HF1). The X half compact camera introduced physical features such as a frame advance lever and optical viewfinder, plus digital ones, including Film Camera Mode. Notable feature Perhaps the most notable is the camera's eschewing of horizontal aspect ratios, rather opting for 3:4 vertical framing. Both images and videos are captured vertically, and this is reflected in the vertical orientation of the optical viewfinder and LCD display at the back. The X half compact camera evolved from the concept of classic half-frame cameras, which were capable of shooting at half the size of 35mm film, allowing for two images per frame. ALSO READ: Fujifilm unveils Instax Mini 41 instant camera with retro feel Whose it for? The FujiFilm X Half has no electric or hybrid viewfinder, no stabilisation and it can't even take RAW photos. So, who is it for? The camera is for film photographers who want the convenience of digital cameras, as you can store images on an SD card. It's essentially a modern film camera, and feels like it has been inspired by the Pentax 17. The X half's purpose is to offer a pared-back, no-frills analogue and digital experience and make photography fun again. Memories It's small, light and is designed to give you no excuses, you should be able to bring it with you everywhere, but so is the mobile phone that you carry in your pocket. However, this is a camera for taking scrappy, quick photos, capturing memories and making photography fun. Designed with travelling in mind, the X half features a compact 240g body that evokes the charm of a classic rangefinder camera. Availability and pricing The Fujifilm X half compact camera digitally recreates and evolves the analogue photographic shooting experience unique to half-frame film cameras. The X half will be arriving in South Africa during June 2025 for a recommended retail price of R14 999. NOW READ: Huawei unveils new Watch Fit 4 series and Watch 5 in Berlin
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Fujifilm just announced the X half — a digital camera that offers a unique film experience unlike any other
Fujifilm just launched the spiritual successor to its X-Pro lineup, and it's a camera unlike any other. Say hello to the Fujifilm X half, a digital camera with a dedicated film photography mode, that hopes to make photography simple and intuitive, thanks to a stripped back control scheme. It's designed extremely well and weighs just 8.46 ounces. The X half occupies an interesting place in Fuji's extensive cameras family. The manufacturer has injected the ethos, "Specs and technology aren't everything," into the X half's inception. Could this be one of the best cameras for photography purists? It features a 1-inch back-illuminated sensor that takes 17MP photos and records FHD/24p video. The back panel houses a 2.14-inch 0.92M-dot LCD touchscreen and a vertical touch panel that lets you swap between 13 of Fuji's most popular film simulation recipes. A fixed lens camera (32mm f/2.8 prime) like the Fujifilm X100VI, the X half has a retail price of $849 / £699. The camera, then, offers a film-like experience at an accessible price point, unlike the pricier Fujifilm X-Pro 3 which demands more money be spent on glass. The X half is great value for money, though, as it factors in the costs of getting film rolls developed. You can snap film photos and save them directly to your SD card — or view a short simulation of them "developing" within the new X half app. The X half has a few tricks up its sleeves. The rear LCD monitor, by default, shows you what the camera is pointing at, and you can view the photos you've taken, like on any other digital camera. But the X half has a dedicated film photography mode, where you select the film count (36, 72, etc.) and ISO value. This also turns the monitor into a shot counter, rolling onto the next number each time you take a photo. And just like on a film camera, you can't see the photo you've taken — until you offload the SD card or use the X half app. The 17MP images the X half produces are ideal for sharing on social media. You can create diptychs too. Pulling the lever next to the exposure compensation dial lets you take a second photo, and the camera then stitches them into one composition — and you can stitch a photo and video or two videos together too. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Other features include Fujifilm's fantastic color science which is on full display here. The X half also features human face/eye detection unlike other half-frame film cameras, like the Pentax 17 or the Kodak Ektar H35. Alongside film recipes, there are several new filters to play with including light leak, expired film, miniature, double exposure, etc. I had the pleasure of seeing and using the camera for a couple of hours at a pre-launch briefing, and I had a very positive experience with it. A detailed review will follow soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
