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 type of factor you’d carry on an evening out with buddies, saved helpful in a handbag or pocket, so you would seize moments with no need your cellphone.
Its worth may provide you with pause, although. Here is somewhat preview primarily based on my little time with this little digital camera.
The {hardware}
It is positively tiny, although a bit larger than the smallest digital cameras from the 2000s.
- 17.7 megapixels (3,648×4,864 or 7,296×4,864 for 2-in-1 photographs)
- 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 exceptional 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. It is a digital camera for taking pictures you’ll be able to shortly and simply share on social media. Photos have a 3:4 facet ratio, as does video (1,080×1,440).
The one dials are publicity and aperture. Sure, that is a movie advance lever, and it truly has a use right here, past simply retro type factors.
One of many X Half’s most important methods is the power to take a side-by-side picture, which Fuji calls a 2-in-1. You may 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 photographs are saved individually, however the digital camera additionally combines them into a 3rd picture the place they’re aspect by aspect, separated by a line with a method of your selecting. The identical trick may be finished with movies, and maybe most curiously, each pictures and movies.
The X Half (proper) subsequent to the X100VI.
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 important modifying. Greater than only a filter you’ll be able to add in Instagram, these change, generally dramatically, many points of shade and tone.
A small secondary display on the again reveals you the lively simulation mode, as if you happen to’re a movie roll contained in the digital camera, and you may swipe by way of the completely different modes whereas wanting on the most important 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 in a position to check all of them, however among the ones I did use had been fairly enjoyable.
Vertical display and optical viewfinder. The secondary display on the left normally reveals the lively movie simulation. It is also a contact display, so you’ll be able to swipe by way of. This works as a secondary display for some menus and settings as effectively.
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 photographs. On this mode, there is not any preview, and different choices are restricted. It basically 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 restrictions 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 every of Fujifilm’s Instax printers for instant-film prints. The digital camera I examined had a silver prime, however the X Half can even be obtainable in all black or with a charcoal prime.
Arms (effectively, hand) on
The side-by-side “2-in-1” format helps you to juxtapose photographs for any variety of artistic causes. This may be finished within the digital camera (many of the following examples), with the upcoming X Half app, or if you happen to seize two stuff you actually need to put subsequent to one another throughout your quick time with the digital camera and you do not have the app but (me), you are able to do this in most photograph modifying software program later.
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 would be able to go in moments. Deciding on completely different movie simulations was tremendous straightforward. All it is advisable do is swipe the secondary display.
Utilizing the X Half is surprisingly much like utilizing a GoPro. Virtually every part is accessed through swipes and faucets on the rear display. The one dials are only for publicity and aperture. Personally, I like dials on cameras, however this was straightforward to navigate and possibly extra so for individuals not used to bigger cameras. A swap on the aspect allows the built-in flash.
The side-by-side photographs are a intelligent technique to actually inform a narrative. As an illustration, one picture may be an establishing shot, the opposite a close-up. Or each may be variations of a theme, completely different angles and so forth. Earlier, I stated I did not get pleasure from film-camera-like challenges, however this type of problem I did like. I might discover some attention-grabbing picture, after which see if I might discover some matching or contrasting picture close by. It was a distinct technique to method images, in contrast with what I am used to, which is (here is that phrase once more) enjoyable.
You in there, Deckard?
Since I had just a few 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 shade replica. Low-light wasn’t nice however appeared acceptable. The pictures you see on this preview are all unedited.
One of many built-in filters lets you choose a single shade and strip out all of the others. Not a very new idea, nevertheless it works effectively right here.
Value, availability and who this could be for
2-in-1 created in Photoshop, in any other case unedited from the digital camera.
The X Half is certainly for a particular demographic. If you happen to do not perceive why somebody would need a small, vertical digital camera like this, haven’t any worry: You are not the demo. I described the digital camera to a pal who is probably going the demo, and he or she acquired the thought instantly and wished one. Is it doable to do nearly every part the X Half does together with your cellphone? Certain, however that is true of any digital camera. The trick right here is with the ability to skip the modifying course of, plus the good thing about not being in your cellphone on a regular basis. That, and the truth that the X Half is lovely.
One concern, although, is the value. At $850, this could be effectively past the funds 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 advised her the fee, and her disenchanted response was, “Oh, yeah, costly.” Every little thing is getting costlier as of late, however for under somewhat more cash, somebody might get the Ricoh GR III, our present choose for greatest point-and-shoot journey digital camera, which has a a lot bigger sensor and can also be conveniently small.
Nonetheless, neither the GR III nor some other digital camera proper now has the X Half’s “enjoyable” issue. Is that definitely 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, try Funds Journey for Dummies, his journey ebook, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You may observe him on Instagram and YouTube.
