Preview: Fujifilm X-HF1 half-frame mirrorless camera
Thursday 22 May 2025, 07:07 by Elja Trum | 5,004 views | 2 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
Fujifilm has announced a brand-new and unusual camera today, the Fujifilm X-HF1. This compact camera recreates the feel of an analogue half-frame camera, but in a digital version.
Yesterday, I was already allowed to try out the camera for a couple of hours in Madurodam. And I expect this could become a very popular camera. As a second (or third) camera for professional photographers, or as a first 'proper' camera for smartphone photographers.
Fujifilm X-HF1 specifications
- 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor (13.3 x 8.8mm 4:3)
- 17.74 megapixels
- Sensitivity: 200 - 12,800 ISO
- 32mm full-frame equivalent lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8
- Full HD video (2-in-1 image possible)
- Optical viewfinder (without any further additions)
- 13 film simulations
- 19 creative filters
- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- Weight: 240 grams
- SD(HX) memory card
- Built-in LED flash (for photos and video)
- Cold shoe (for example, an LED light, cannot control a flash)
The Fujifilm X Half has a lovely retro look. The camera is also incredibly compact and light. At 240 grams, it's probably lighter than your smartphone. So you can easily put the camera in your trouser pocket. A camera you can always have with you.
The half-film format is unusual, or rather, what stands out most about it: by default, the camera shoots 4:3 images in a vertical position. Of course, you can still turn the camera to take a horizontal photo, but it is the exact opposite of what you're used to.
You can also use the camera to make two half-frame photos next to each other, as if you had actually shot them with a half-frame camera on a 35mm negative. To do this, you have to pull the lever after taking a photo, as if you were winding on the film.
The camera immediately joins the photo you take afterwards to the first one. So you get two photos in one file. You can adjust the gap between them to your liking using several options. And conveniently, the two photos are also saved as separate photos.
A fun detail is that this function for double exposures in one image also works for video. You first shoot the video on the left and then 'wind on' again and shoot the second video. During the second recording, the camera counts the seconds down instead of up, because it records the second video for the same length of time as the first recording.
You then get one landscape video in which both images can be seen next to each other at the same time. Curious what that looks like? Watch the video at the top of this article.
An important limitation for more advanced photographers will perhaps be the lack of RAW support, although I suspect that this need not matter in practice. This probably won't be your main camera. Photos are therefore shot as 18-megapixel JPEG files.
The analogue experience
Fujifilm has done its best to make the analogue experience as complete as possible. There is a special option on the camera for this: 'Film camera mode'.
In this mode, the camera behaves like an analogue camera. You (virtually) put a roll of film in the camera and then have to fill it. You can choose 36, 54 or 72 exposures. You then really do have to take the chosen number of photos before you can switch film simulations again.
So you keep that same 'roll of film' in your camera. You also cannot use the display on the back of the camera when taking photos. You have to compose your image through the optical viewfinder.
You don't get to see what your photo looks like. Not until you have taken all 36 (or more) photos. Of course, you can still change the basic settings, such as the exposure, for each photo. Between each photo, you also have to 'wind on your film' before you can take the next photo.
The display on the back of the camera shows how many photos you have already taken. At the end of your roll, 'the camera rewinds the roll'. You then see the counter counting down the number of photos again.
In my view, it is really a funny gimmick, but I can imagine that many photographers will enjoy taking photos this way.
You can stop partway through, by the way, by clicking twice on the second display, which shows the selected film simulation. You can then choose to rewind your roll early. Your photos will of course still be saved.
You can simply take the photos off your SD card, but for an even more complete analogue experience, you can also send them wirelessly to your smartphone. There is a new app especially for the Fujifilm X Half.
In the app, you first see the negatives of the photos you have taken. Your photos are then 'printed' in the app on a contact sheet. You can also find that contact sheet as an extra file in the special folder on your SD card.
In the near future, you will also be able to order these photos directly from the app. They will then be delivered to your home in 10x15 format. Of course, you can also send them directly to your social media from the app.
Preliminary conclusion
With the X Half, Fujifilm has delivered a very remarkable camera. One that I think could become very popular.
It seems to me like a great first proper camera for people who currently mainly take photos with a smartphone. With its larger sensor and lens, this camera will produce better photos than current smartphones.
In addition, in combination with the app, in which you can also apply film simulations and filters to your photos afterwards, it is useful for getting your photos onto your social media quickly or sharing them in other ways.
It is compact, light and simple enough to use easily and always have with you. What's more, this camera gives you the fun of analogue photography without having to wait for your photos to be developed and printed.
Price and availability
The Fujifilm X-Half will cost 799 euros. You can choose from 3 different colours: black, silver and charcoal silver. The camera should be in the shops next month.
About the author
Elja Trum is the founder of Photofacts and online photography course website Photofacts Academy. He has been writing about photography since 2006. Elja is also the author of (Dutch) books on composition, black-and-white photography, flash photography and portrait photography.
You might also like
-
Fujifilm X-E5 announcedby Elja Trum
-
Fujifilm X-T30 III announcedby Elja Trum
-
Fujifilm GFX 100 RF announcedby Elja Trum
-
My Struggle with Analogue Photographyby Michiel Heijmans
2 comments
-
guest wrote on Tuesday 27 May 2025 at 13:31 | replyHij zou de Half van de prijs moeten kosten , Ik vind het een belachlijke hoge prijs.
This comment was written in another language and has not been translated yet. -
Have your say
Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.
Elja Trum
Photofacts; everything to do with photography!
Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about PhotofactsPhotofacts is made possible in part by
