So… This FUJIFILM X half. Wrong Price Maybe?…
I so want to like this camera.
Why? I am glad I imagined you asked.
- It is a FUJIFILM camera.
- I have a soft spot for this brand. Although it did not end up being my main system, it is the only brand I created a whole Flickr album for, and though not my main system, it is my top digital portrait camera.
- It is purdy.
- Self explanatory.
- Has the dials.
- Aperture dial, and exposure dial.
- Film advance lever.
- Silly? Maybe… but I like it.
- Half frame.
- Silly? Maybe… but I am game for something different. And aping a type of film camera I really like is pretty cool.
- Tiny.
- I like small digital cameras.
- Little film emulation screen.
- Film mode.
- Artificially forced limitations in an attempt to bring a film experience to digital?… Silly? Maybe, but I like it.
So what is the problem? Again. I am glad I imagined that you asked.
- <checks notes> a 1″ sensor.
- In isolation this is not a bad thing… but…
- $850.
- Honestly, this is the exact moment my interest quickly fizzled away.
- Rudimentary AF.
- In isolation this is not a big deal, but I will get to why this is an issue for me below.
So.. Three things? Yep. But the real issue for me is two cameras. There are two cameras I could buy that check most boxes above. And both of these cameras can be had for less. Your choice comes down to what you are looking for from the FUJIFILM X half.
Film half frame camera.
Pentax 17.
An actual half frame camera. Currently hundreds less. If a half frame camera was what I was after this is what I would choose. And I have.
To each their own but I would gladly spend the money saved to fully flesh out the whole film experience with actual film and developing equipment.
So that is the film side. Then there is the…
1″ sensor digital compact camera.
OG f/1.8-2.8 24-70mm Sony ZV-1.
- No, it is not a good looking camera.
- No, it does not have a viewfinder.
- No tricks like a fake film mode, film emulation screen, and vertical orientation.
But, spec sheet wise it is a no-brainer for me.
- Price.
- While a little less new, the real savings are had when buying the ZV-1 used.
- Smaller.
- Weighs a little more.
- Better performance.
- Especially AF.
- Articulating screen.
- I’ll stop.
Ok, one more. Same size sensor that does this.
So. The issue is not really with the X half. It can be fixed one quick way.
If it was $500 or less I would have likely preordered one already. I am a sucker for a small camera, with unique features, and a unique film imitation mode.
But as things stand I would go with… cameras I already have.
But at its current price and currently owning both cameras above…
I am good.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 
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