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 deliver on an evening out with associates, stored useful in a handbag or pocket, so you would capture moments without needing your phone.
Its worth would possibly offer you pause, although. Here is a bit preview based mostly on my little time with this little digital camera.
The {hardware}
It is positively tiny, although a bit greater than the smallest digital cameras from the 2000s.
- 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 unparalleled in a digital camera this measurement. The Sony XV-1 II is mainly the identical measurement and has one, although it is much more costly. Most, just like the inexpensive 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 shortly and simply share on social media. Photographs have a 3:4 side 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 fashion factors.
One of many X Half’s foremost tips 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 picture. Each photos 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 have the ability to get solely with vital enhancing. Greater than only a filter you may add in Instagram, these change, typically dramatically, many facets of shade and tone.
A small secondary display on the again reveals you the lively simulation mode, as if you happen to’re taking a look at a movie roll contained in the digital camera, and you’ll swipe via the totally different modes whereas wanting on the foremost display, to see how they give the impression of being. As well as, there are “artistic filters,” like “toy,” “high-key,” “mild 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 few of the ones I did use have 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 may swipe via. This works as a secondary display for some menus and settings as properly.
There’s additionally a mode known 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 isn’t 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 constraints of movie, however I perceive how many individuals take pleasure in them.
The brand new X Half app wasn’t prepared for us to take a look at, but it surely ought to have some attention-grabbing methods to “develop” the photographs 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 high, however the X Half may even be out there in all black or with a charcoal high.
Fingers (properly, hand) on
The side-by-side “2-in-1” format enables you to juxtapose photos 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 brief time with the digital camera and you do not have the app but (me), you are able to do this in most picture enhancing software program later.
That is an adorably small digital camera. A palm-of-your-hand gadget 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. Once I’d see one thing attention-grabbing, even when I would turned it off after the final shot, it would be able to go in moments. Choosing totally different movie simulations was tremendous straightforward. All you might want to do is swipe the secondary display.
Utilizing the X Half is surprisingly just like utilizing a GoPro. Nearly every part is accessed through 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 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 photos are a intelligent strategy 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 mentioned I did not take pleasure in film-camera-like challenges, however this sort of problem I did like. I would discover some attention-grabbing picture, after which see if I might discover some matching or contrasting picture close by. It was a special strategy to method images, in contrast with what I am used to, which is (this 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 last verdict on the picture high quality. My preliminary impression is that it appeared first rate, with good shade replica. Low-light wasn’t nice however appeared acceptable. The photographs 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, but it surely works properly right here.
Worth, availability and who this is likely to be for
2-in-1 created in Photoshop, in any other case unedited from the digital camera.
The X Half is certainly for a selected demographic. Should you do not perceive why somebody would desire a small, vertical digital camera like this, don’t have any concern: You are not the demo. I described the digital camera to a good friend who is probably going the demo, and he or she acquired the thought instantly and wished one. Is it potential to do nearly every part 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 properly past the price range of the very individuals who’d take pleasure in it most. Whereas I used to be testing it out at LA’s Grand Central Market, one of many store homeowners took an curiosity. After I described it to her, she appeared actually however requested, “Is it costly?” I advised her the associated fee, and her disillusioned response was, “Oh, yeah, costly.” All the things is getting costlier lately, however for less than a bit more cash, somebody might get the Ricoh GR III, our present decide for best point-and-shoot travel camera, which has a a lot bigger sensor and can be conveniently small.
Nevertheless, neither the GR III nor every 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 photo essays about cool museums and different stuff, together with nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles and epic 10,000-mile road trips.
Additionally, take a look at Budget Travel for Dummies, his journey e book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You may observe him on Instagram and YouTube.
