Recreating the idea of a half-frame film camera in digital form, the FUJIFILM X half is an especially sleek and portable point-and-shoot with a unique vertical 1" sensor design, fixed wide-angle prime lens, and several film-reminiscent shooting functions meant to replicate the enjoyment and decisiveness of shooting film.
18MP 1" Sensor, 3:4 Vertical Aspect Ratio
Riffing on the half-frame concept from the film world, the X half features an appropriately sleek 1" sensor, which is vertically oriented, that produces 18MP 3:4 stills and videos. This sensor works alongside the Film Simulation modes to produce filmic and expressive images and is benefitted by a +/-3 EV exposure compensation dial and manual exposure control settings that are adjustable via the lens's aperture ring and from the rear touchscreen.
Film Camera Mode
Another nod to the film world, the X half can be configured to record in Film Camera Mode: a shooting style that requires you to choose one specific Film Simulation setting and a 36, 54, or 72-shot "roll" of film, with the results only visible after you've finished the roll and digitally "developed" your shots using the FUJIFILM app or transferred the files to your computer. Also, after finishing your roll, the camera will automatically produce an additional contact sheet image, fit with film strip borders, to review all of your shots at a glance.
When working in this mode, the rear LCD will only display a frame counter, an AF/MF toggle, an option to imprint a timestamp onto the images (a la a point-and-shoot film camera), and a zone focusing scale if working with manual focus—image previews and reviews are disabled. You'll need to use the built-in Frame Advance Lever to advance frames, and this shooting method requires you to frame your compositions solely using the optical window viewfinder and use either autofocus with no confirmation or zone focus manually.
Film Simulation Modes
Integral to and pairing perfectly with the Film Camera Mode, the X half heavily emphasizes the use of their Film Simulation modes while shooting. The secondary sub LCD next to the main rear LCD mimics the look of a rear window on a film camera to check which kind of film you have loaded, and this small touchscreen display also allows you to intuitively cycle through the different Film Simulation modes by swiping up or down.
There are 13 distinct Film Simulations, including the ultra-vibrant Velvia, the nostalgic Classic Chrome, and the artistic black-and-white Acros; and the Grain Effect setting allows you to adjust the apparent graininess of each film type. Additionally, there are 26 filters to add on top of the Film Simulations, all inspired by the distinct traits of film, including Light Leak, Halation, Expired Film, and Double Exposure.
