So… This FUJIFILM X half…. After Seeing It In Person…
I so wanted to like this camera. First a cut and paste with update below after seeing it in person.
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.
Update. Sample pic.
Oof. Through no fault of the subject, Venu, this will just not do. Pretty sure it missed focus even though I had Venu center of frame. A bit smeary even though the settings were nothing crazy.
Yeah… After seeing it in person $500 is still too much.
For me this camera’s main issue is the camera I already have that I brought with me to compare it to.
A far more capable camera for less spend new or used. A camera I prefer over the gen II model because for more money that one has a slower aperture and lost the ND filter. Nope. A camera I prefer over Sony’s own RX100 line which have skyrocketed in price. From the gen I Rx100 going for more used than it cost new to the “latest” released in 2019, RX100 VII, going for more new or used right now than it did when released. As much as $500 more. Meanwhile, the OG ZV-1, which has features even the twice as expensive RX100 VII does not have, is still selling for a reasonable price. You only miss out on an EVF which I never used when I had an RX100 III years ago because it seemed silly on such a small camera. May not change, but if you are thinking of getting one now might be a good time before the crazed masses figure this out.
No, it is not retro chic like the x Half nor does it have the gimmicks mentioned but… it crushes it on pretty much every measurable technical metric.
- IBIS.
- ND Filter.
- Closer focus.
- Faster aperture AND a zoom lens.
- 32mm vs 20-70mm.
- Faster shutter speed.
- e-shutter up to 1/32000s compared to mechanical only 1/2000s.
- AF that works.
- RAW files.
- Articulating screen.
- Hotshoe instead of a cold shoe.
- AF-C up to 24fps.
- Audio jack for video.
- Ok. I’ll stop.
For less money, mind you.
And unike that sample pic above I like the images produced with the ZV-1.
If FUJIFILM does a version II maybe they will improve its feature set? Not a given since they seem to have abandoned the cult following X-Pro line up. And a lower price is not likely. But this version at its current price and currently owning both cameras above…
I am good.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 