Fujifilm XHalf: The Return of Analogue Photography in Digital Form

Fujifilm has once again surprised the photography world. In 2025, the Japanese brand launched the XHalf, a compact digital camera that promises to bring back the magic of analogue photography, but with all the convenience of digital. If you’re a fan of the X series or simply love trying out new ways of photographing, get ready: the XHalf is a small camera full of personality, ready to win over both nostalgic photographers and the social media generation.

The Concept: Half-Frame, Maximum Creativity
The XHalf is inspired by classic half-frame cameras, such as the legendary Fujica Half from the 1960s. The concept is simple: capture images in a vertical 3:4 format, different from the traditional 3:2 or 4:3 of digital cameras, evoking the aesthetic of 35mm film rolls but making the most of digital advantages. This vertical format isn’t just a matter of nostalgia – it’s a clear bet on the visual language of social networks, where portrait content dominates the feed.

Design: Retro Minimalism, Total Portability
The first impression when you pick up the XHalf is its lightness and portability. Weighing just 240g (battery and card included) and pocket-sized dimensions (around 106 x 64 x 30 mm), it’s a camera that begs to be taken everywhere. The design is a tribute to the past: classic lines, a manual aperture dial on the lens, a film advance lever, and a vertical optical viewfinder that takes you back in time.

Available in three colours (silver, grey and black), the XHalf doesn’t hide its retro inspiration, but fits perfectly into modern life, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB-C connectivity, as well as direct integration with Instax printers.

Sensor and Lens: Simplicity That Inspires
At the heart of the XHalf is a 1-inch, 18-megapixel sensor, paired with a fixed 10.8 mm f/2.8 lens (equivalent to 32 mm in full-frame). This isn’t a camera designed for those seeking maximum resolution or extreme background blur – here, almost everything is in focus, just like the classic point-and-shoots. The aim is different: to capture the moment, explore composition, and play with colour and grain.

The lens has autofocus (AF-S and AF-C) and manual focus, with a dedicated ring, and allows for close-up shooting – ideal for details and everyday scenes.

Analogue Experience in Digital: The “Film Camera” Mode
The XHalf’s star feature is its “Film Camera” mode, a real trip down memory lane for anyone who misses the analogue ritual. In this mode, you choose a virtual “roll” (36, 54 or 72 photos) and a film simulation or creative filter. Then, you can only shoot using the optical viewfinder – the LCD screen switches off, just like on a film camera. Each shot requires you to use the advance lever, mimicking the 35mm film mechanism.

The twist? You can only see the photos after finishing the “roll”, creating that delicious anticipation of not knowing exactly what you’ve captured. And when it’s time to “develop”, everything is done through the dedicated app, which presents the images as digital contact sheets, ready to share or print.

Film Simulations and Filters: The Magic of Fujifilm Colour
The XHalf brings with it the Fujifilm DNA: the famous film simulations, now with options such as Nostalgic Neg, Acros, and Classic Chrome, among others. In addition, there are creative filters inspired by the analogue universe – “light leak”, “halation”, “expired film” effects, and even “grain effect” to give that vintage touch to your images.

The “2in1” mode allows you to combine two vertical photos into a single image, creating diptychs and small visual stories. It’s a perfect tool for those who like to explore narratives or play with unexpected compositions.

Video and Connectivity: For the Social Media Era
Although it’s a camera designed for photography, the XHalf doesn’t forget video. It records in Full HD (in both vertical and horizontal format), ideal for reels, stories or TikToks. The vertical orientation of the LCD screen and optical viewfinder reinforces this vocation, making it a natural choice for content creators and vloggers.

Integration with smartphones is simple, allowing you to transfer, edit, and share images immediately. And, of course, for fans of the physical, just one click lets you print directly to an Instax.

Who is the XHalf For?
The XHalf is not a camera for everyone. It won’t replace your X-T5 or X100VI if you’re looking for maximum image quality, total control, or interchangeable lenses. But it’s a perfect camera for:

• Street photographers and travellers who want lightness and spontaneity
• Lovers of the analogue look, but without the cost or wait of film
• Content creators for social networks, fans of the vertical format
• Anyone looking for a fun second camera, to rediscover the pleasure of shooting without pressure

As some reviewers put it, the XHalf is “the serious camera for relaxed shooting” – perfect for those who already have a main system and just want to have fun, experiment, and create without pressure.

Limitations and Considerations
Not everything is perfect: the XHalf only shoots JPEG, with no RAW option. The 1-inch sensor limits low-light performance and depth of field is always extensive. It’s not the best choice for those seeking pronounced bokeh or maximum sharpness.

But, honestly, that’s not the aim of this camera. The XHalf is about the process, the pleasure of shooting, the surprise of the result, and the unique aesthetic of Fujifilm colour.

Conclusion: A New Way to Rediscover Photography
Above all, the Fujifilm XHalf is an invitation: leave your phone in your pocket, forget about pixel peeping, and go back to photographing for pleasure. It’s a camera that makes you slow down, think about composition, experiment with colour and light, and accept chance as part of the creative process.

If you’re looking for a light, fun camera with an analogue soul and ready for the demands of the digital world, the XHalf could well be your next photographic companion. After all, in the instant era, perhaps it takes a camera like this to remind us that sometimes, the best thing about photography is the wait, the surprise, and the unexpected.

And you, have you ever missed that little thrill before developing a roll of film? The XHalf is ready to make you relive that feeling, now in digital form.

Complete information is available on the official Fujifilm website.