Fujifilm’s X Half is An $850 Digital Camera With a Vintage Film Look

Fujifilm’s latest release, the $850 X Half, is a quirky 18MP compact camera that captures vertical 3:4 images using half of a 1-inch sensor. With a retro design, it features a rear screen showcasing 13 film simulation modes and supports only JPEG, with no RAW option.

A Modern Take on a Vintage Format

The  X Half  name is inspired by 1960s half-frame cameras like theOlympus Pen F, which used a 35mm film frame split in half (18mm x 24mm).

Fujifilm’s X Half has a backside-illuminated sensor half the size of a traditional half-frame (8.8mm x 13.3mm), covering just a quarter of its area.

The X Half has the smallest sensor in recent Fujifilm cameras, with the X-series using APS-C and the GFX line using medium format. It shares the 3:4 ratio of Fujifilm’s Instax Mini cameras for direct printing via an Instax Mini printer and the new X Half app.

The X Half makes full use of Fujifilm’s signature film simulation and grain effect modes. New additions include “light leak,” mimicking accidental overexposure, “expired film,” and “halation,” a glow from light reflecting within film layers.

Film Camera Mode enhances the vintage feel with an optical viewfinder, manual frame advance, and photo “development” in the X Half app. It even generates a classic contact sheet layout with 36, 54, or 72 images.

Retro Creativity Meets Modern Sharing

The X Half’s 2-in-1 feature lets users merge two stills or clips into one, with the film advance lever adding a retro touch.

The camera captures photos and videos in vertical or square formats (up to 2160×2160), perfect for social media with Fujifilm’s film simulations. The “Date Stamp” adds to the vintage feel with a classic Kodak-style timestamp in the bottom-right corner.

The X Half has a 2.4-inch 3:4 LCD, an optical viewfinder with parallax distortion, and weighs just 210 grams (7.4 ounces). It also includes a built-in flash, an impressive 880-frame battery life, and an SD UHS-I card slot.

The X Half could appeal to social media enthusiasts or anyone seeking a fun camera for parties or vacations. It’s pricey, especially compared to an Instax or regular film camera with plenty of film for less. Fujifilm’s X100 VI was a hit, so the X Half’s popularity wouldn’t be surprising. It’s now available for preorder at $850 (black, charcoal silver, silver), shipping June 12.

Read the original article on: Engadget

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