The Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1) is a digital camera that pretends to be analog - with a rewind lever, optical viewfinder and no RAW option. Get ready for a digital experience that smells like film.
Fujifilm is known for its ability to blend modern technology with the charm of the past. With the new Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1) (officially the X-HF1), they've taken it a step further - creating a digital camera that pretends to be analog. And they do it with all their heart.
The Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1) is a tribute to classic half-frame cameras like the 1963 Fujica Half. These cameras took twice the number of photos on 35mm film, using only half the frame. Fujifilm has brought this idea into the digital age with a vertically oriented 1-inch sensor (8.8 x 13.3mm) and a fixed 10.8mm f/2.8 lens (32mm equivalent). Weighing just 240g, the camera is small enough to fit in your pocket – or the heart of any retro enthusiast.
Features You Didn't Know You Needed – Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1)
The X Half isn't just a camera, it's an experience. It features an optical viewfinder that takes you back to the days when you had to actually look through a viewfinder to see what you were shooting. The main screen is a 2.4-inch LCD with a 3:4 aspect ratio, ideal for the vertical shots that Instagram and TikTok users love.
But the real fun starts with the “Frame Advance Lever” – a rewind lever that you have to move after each shot if you’re using “Film Camera Mode”. In this mode you choose the film simulation (there are 13 available, including Provia, Velvia and Acros) and the “film length” (36, 54 or 72 shots). Each shot is irreversible, with no RAW option – just pure JPEG, like in the old days.
2-in-1: Diptych Art
One of the most interesting features is the “2-in-1” mode, which allows you to combine two vertical shots into one image. This is ideal for creating stories through photography – for example, before and after, day and night, smile and tear. Using the X Half app, you can further edit these diptychs, swapping the order or adding filters.
Filters that smell of nostalgia
In addition to Fujifilm’s classic film simulations, the Fujifilm X Half (X-HF1) also offers three new filters: “Light Leak” for a light leak effect, “Halation” for a glow around light sources, and “Expired Film” for a grainy, vintage aesthetic. Add in “Grain Effect” and “Date Stamp,” and you’ll have photos that look like they were taken decades ago—even though they were just taken.
The price of nostalgia
The X Half will be available in late June 2025 for $849.99. That's not a lot for a camera that doesn't shoot RAW and has a fixed lens. But if you're looking for a digital camera that gives you an analog experience without the need for film development, the X Half might be the right choice for you.
Conclusion: A camera for those who love the past
The Fujifilm X Half is not for everyone. It is not for those looking for technical perfection or versatility. It is for those who value experience, aesthetics and nostalgia. It is for those who want their camera to slow them down, to think about each shot and enjoy the process of creation. If you are one of them, the X Half is perfect for you.
