I Tried Fujifilm’s Cute New X Half Digital camera and It is a Pocketful of Enjoyable

After months of rumors, Fujifilm has lastly, formally introduced the X Half, a really compact digital camera designed to imitate half-frame movie cameras and early 2000s point-and-shoots. It takes vertical pictures and movies, aided by an optical viewfinder and vertical display. I spent a number of hours testing out the X Half, and it’s, as Fujifilm hoped, fairly enjoyable. It is the form of factor you’d deliver on an evening out with pals, stored helpful in a handbag or pocket, so you possibly can seize moments without having your telephone.

Its value may provide you with pause, although. This is slightly preview based mostly on my little time with this little digital camera.

The {hardware}

• 17.7 megapixels (3,648×4,864 or 7,296×4,864 for 2-in-1 photos)
• 1-inch sensor
• 32mm f2.8 lens (35mm equal)
• Optical viewfinder
• Fujifilm movie simulations
• 240 grams (8.5 ounces)

Specs do not inform the entire story with this digital camera, however they’re nonetheless attention-grabbing. A 1-inch sensor is not extraordinary in a digital camera this dimension. The Sony XV-1 II is mainly the identical dimension and has one, although it is much more costly. Most, just like the cheaper Panasonic ZS99, have far smaller sensors. The X Half’s sensor is oriented vertically, just like the rear display. This speaks to the principle design intention of the X Half. This can be a digital camera for taking pictures you may rapidly and simply share on social media. Photos have a 3:4 facet ratio, as does video (1,080×1,440).

One of many X Half’s principal methods is the flexibility to take a side-by-side picture, which Fuji calls a 2-in-1. You’ll be able to see some examples later on this preview. Take a photograph, “advance” the movie utilizing the retro movie advance lever, after which take one other photograph. Each photos are saved individually, however the digital camera additionally combines them into a 3rd picture the place they’re facet by facet, separated by a line with a mode of your selecting. The identical trick may be finished with movies, and maybe most curiously, each pictures and movies. 

Being a Fuji digital camera, the X Half has Fuji’s well-known movie simulations. These alter the picture in methods you’d sometimes be capable to get solely with vital enhancing. Greater than only a filter you may add in Instagram, these change, typically dramatically, many points of coloration and tone. 

A small secondary display on the again exhibits you the energetic simulation mode, as should you’re taking a look at a movie roll contained in the digital camera, and you’ll swipe by means of the totally different modes whereas wanting on the principal display, to see how they give the impression of being. As well as, there are “artistic filters,” like “toy,” “high-key,” “gentle leak” and so forth, that are extra like what you’d discover in different point-and-shoot cameras. I wasn’t capable of check all of them, however a number of the ones I did use had been fairly enjoyable.

There’s additionally a mode referred to as movie digital camera, which locks the X Half into the movie simulation mode of your selecting, for 36, 54 or 72 photos. On this mode, there is no preview, and different choices are restricted. It primarily forces you to make use of the X Half like a movie digital camera. I do know some photographers like these sorts of limiting challenges. I am not a fan, maybe as a result of I grew up with the constraints of movie, however I perceive how many individuals get pleasure from them.

The brand new X Half app wasn’t prepared for us to take a look at, nevertheless it ought to have some attention-grabbing methods to “develop” the pictures taken in movie digital camera mode and make/alter the 2-in-1s.

The X Half makes use of the identical battery as different Fuji cameras, has an LED flash and is Bluetooth enabled. It will also be related to one in all Fujifilm’s Instax printers for instant-film prints. The digital camera I examined had a silver high, however the X Half may also be obtainable in all black or with a charcoal high. 

Arms (effectively, hand) on

That is an adorably small digital camera. A palm-of-your-hand machine that may slot in your pocket when not in use. Strolling round downtown LA, I discovered that the X Half virtually disappeared once I wasn’t utilizing it, hidden from view, cupped in my hand. After I’d see one thing attention-grabbing, even when I might turned it off after the final shot, it might be able to go in moments. Deciding on totally different movie simulations was tremendous simple. All you could do is swipe the secondary display. 

Utilizing the X Half is surprisingly much like utilizing a GoPro. Virtually every thing is accessed by way of swipes and faucets on the rear display. The one dials are only for publicity and aperture. Personally, I really like dials on cameras, however this was simple to navigate and doubtless extra so for folks not used to bigger cameras. A change on the facet permits the built-in flash.

The side-by-side photos are a intelligent option to actually inform a narrative. For example, one picture may be an establishing shot, the opposite a close-up. Or each may be variations of a theme, totally different angles and so forth. Earlier, I stated I did not get pleasure from film-camera-like challenges, however this sort of problem I did like. I might discover some attention-grabbing picture, after which see if I may discover some matching or contrasting picture close by. It was a unique option to strategy pictures, in contrast with what I am used to, which is (this is that phrase once more) enjoyable.

Since I had only some hours with the digital camera, I am unable to give a closing verdict on the picture high quality. My preliminary impression is that it appeared respectable, with good coloration copy. Low-light wasn’t nice however appeared acceptable. The pictures you see on this preview are all unedited.

Worth, availability and who this is likely to be for

The X Half is definitely for a selected demographic. Should you do not perceive why somebody would need a small, vertical digital camera like this, haven’t any concern: You are not the demo. I described the digital camera to a buddy who is probably going the demo, and she or he obtained the thought instantly and needed one. Is it potential to do nearly every thing the X Half does together with your telephone? Positive, however that is true of any digital camera. The trick right here is having the ability to skip the enhancing course of, plus the advantage of not being in your telephone on a regular basis. That, and the truth that the X Half is cute.

One concern, although, is the value. At $850, this is likely to be effectively past the price range of the very individuals who’d get pleasure from it most. Whereas I used to be testing it out at LA’s Grand Central Market, one of many store house owners took an curiosity. After I described it to her, she appeared actually however requested, “Is it costly?” I informed her the price, and her disenchanted response was, “Oh, yeah, costly.” All the pieces is getting dearer today, however for under slightly more cash, somebody may get the Ricoh GR III, our present choose for finest point-and-shoot journey digital camera, which has a a lot bigger sensor and can be conveniently small. 

Nevertheless, neither the GR III nor some other digital camera proper now has the X Half’s “enjoyable” issue. Is that well worth the premium? We will see once I check one some extra after its launch in late June.

Along with overlaying cameras and show tech, Geoff does photograph essays about cool museums and different stuff, together with nuclear submarines, plane carriers, medieval castles and epic 10,000-mile highway journeys.

Additionally, take a look at Finances Journey for Dummies, his journey e book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You’ll be able to observe him on Instagram and YouTube.