Fujifilm X-Half Review – The Retro-Inspired Compact Camera We’ve Been Waiting For

👉 Get the Fujifilm X-Half here – available now in charcoal, black, and silver.
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As soon as I saw the announcement for the Fujifilm X-Half, I knew this camera was going to be something special. It’s one of those rare releases that immediately feels like a classic – a compact, user-friendly camera that doesn’t just look retro, it acts retro in all the best ways. Think of it as the love child between old-school film cameras and modern Fujifilm tech – and I’m totally here for it.

Whether you’re a casual creator, a social media storyteller, or a nostalgic film shooter at heart, the Fujifilm X-Half delivers a truly unique experience in a tiny, beautifully designed package.

A New Take on Vertical Photography

At the core of the X-Half is its vertically oriented sensor, designed for one-handed shooting and a format that’s perfect for modern content creation. Vertical stills and video are the new norm on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and Fujifilm has clearly embraced that shift with this release. What I love is how natural it feels to hold and operate – light, compact, and incredibly fast for on-the-go shooting.

The rear LCD is also vertically oriented, which makes framing shots super intuitive. And then there’s that corner-mounted optical window viewfinder – totally rangefinder vibes. It doesn’t show any shooting data, which adds to the film-style experience. Just compose and shoot – pure and simple.

Film-Inspired Features That Spark Creativity

Fujifilm knows how much we love the film look, and the X-Half really leans into it. You’ve got all the beloved Fujifilm Film Simulations, but what’s different here is the way you interact with them. The small pill-shaped sub-LCD displays your current film stock, and you can even lock yourself into a film roll for a truly immersive experience. It’s like choosing a roll of Kodak or Fuji back in the day – once you pick it, you’re committed, which forces you to slow down and think like a film photographer.

Add to that the integrated frame advance lever, which you use to “wind on” to the next frame, and it honestly feels like shooting a roll of 35mm. And let’s not forget the built-in flash, perfect for those gritty night street shots, or just a touch of that disposable camera aesthetic.

Swipe, Shoot, Repeat

There’s no Menu button on the X-Half. Instead, you control everything via gesture-based swipes on the touchscreen. Swipe down for Film Camera Mode and wireless settings, swipe right for the main menu, and swipe up for quick access settings. It takes a minute to get used to, but once you’ve got it, it’s incredibly intuitive and fast.

And the design? Absolutely gorgeous. I personally love the charcoal colourway, but it also comes in a slick black and a clean silver version too. Whichever you choose, it looks and feels premium – a proper street shooter’s companion.

Designed for Creators

One of the big surprises with this camera is how well it handles video, especially for mobile-first creators. The X-Half records vertical video in 1080x1440 at 24fps, which is ready to drop straight into Instagram or TikTok. There are also slow-motion modes up to 200%, and it even has a built-in stereo mic for better audio capture.

It charges via USB-C, has a cold shoe mount for mics or lights, and you can monitor audio through the same port with headphones – something you rarely see on a camera this small.

Final Thoughts – A New Classic for the Digital Age

I genuinely believe the Fujifilm X-Half is going to become a cult classic. It’s compact, fun, and full of character. It feels like a camera built to make you fall in love with photography all over again – from the film advance lever to the date stamp feature, to the swipe gestures that make it feel like a futuristic toy.

This isn’t just a camera for Fujifilm fans – it’s for anyone who wants to create more, worry less, and have fun doing it.

👉 Get the Fujifilm X-Half here – available now in charcoal, black, and silver.
(Use my affiliate link to support the channel – it doesn’t cost you anything extra, and helps me keep creating reviews like this.)