Inspired by the past and made for the present, the new Fujifilm X half is the camera helping a new generation of creators rediscover the joy of film photography.

There’s something special about old film photos. Not because they’re perfect, but because they have a way of capturing exactly what a moment felt like. Maybe it’s the warm, slightly faded tones, the way the light hits just right, or simply just the sense that whoever took the photo was completely present. 

For years, film photography gave us that feeling by default. It asked us to slow down, to frame with care, and to treat every shot like it mattered. But as digital cameras evolved and smartphones took over, that sense of intention started to disappear. 

Now, in the age of a thousand snaps a day and instant sharing, a whole new generation of creators are gravitating toward vintage lenses, grainy textures, and film-inspired aesthetics. And luckily for them, a new kind of camera is making it all possible. 

The Fujifilm X half is a half-frame digital camera that blends the charm, texture and nostalgia of film with the flexibility of modern shooting. It’s packed with playful creative tools, wrapped in a lightweight vintage-inspired design, and made for everyday use. 

Whether you’re deep in the world of photography or just someone who wants to romanticise your everyday life, here are 8 reasons why this little camera is about to change the way you take photos. 

The film lever invites you to shoot with intention
The X half’s coolest feature is its manual film lever, a satisfying nod to the winding mechanism on vintage cameras. While it doesn’t load real film, it mimics the motion, giving you a moment of pause before you take a shot. It’s a tiny ritual, but one that subtly shifts the pace. You’re no longer mindlessly tapping, you’re slowing down to find the most creative shot. 

It shoots vertically by default
Designed to match how we naturally shoot on our phones, the X half uses a half-frame 3:4 vertical aspect ratio as its default. Whether you’re capturing an outfit, shooting behind-the-scenes snaps, or just photographing your friends on a night out, the format feels fresh yet familiar, with zero need for editing or cropping later. 

You can tell a story in two frames
Thanks to its 2-in-1 shooting mode, the X half allows you to pair two images side by side to create a whole new kind of picture. It’s a creative way to pair a wide and a close-up, a moment and its reaction, or two scenes that belong together. 

Personalise every shot with film simulations
While most digital filters tend to feel flat or artificial, Fujifilm’s film-inspired effects are grounded in the brand’s film photography legacy. You can choose from a range of grain textures, analog ‘Film Simulations’, and vintage filters that give you the effect of light leaks, expired film or double exposure. You can also add little details to your shot like a date stamp, custom colour background and frame style.  

It weighs the same as your phone
At just 240g including the battery and memory card, the X half is super easy to throw in your bag and take anywhere. Available in black, charcoal, or silver, the camera’s retro-inspired silhouette makes it just as photogenic as the images it takes.

Easily develop your film photos through the app
With so many images trapped in camera rolls and cloud storage, the X half app makes things easier to manage. The camera’s app turns your photos into a curated gallery. Shots are grouped into digital “rolls,” which you can browse like a contact sheet, export to your phone’s camera roll, or print out.  

You’ll never take an out of focus image
Autofocus on the X half is fast and accurate, making it easy to capture hyper sharp images in the moment. On top of that, it comes with ‘Face and Eye Detection’ to help you take perfect portraits every single time. And for those who love the control of manual shooting, the tactile Focus Ring lets you refine every shot. 

It comes with a Film Mode
If you really want to embrace the old-school mindset, Film Mode is where the X half shines. You can set your digital roll length to 36, 54 or 72 exposures, and once activated, you’ll need to flick the film lever after every shot. This means you’re shooting in the moment, trusting your eye, and waiting to see the results later – just like in the old days.

To celebrate the launch of the camera in Australia, Fujifilm is hosting ‘The Moment Club’ on Saturday, July 12 at the Baptist Street Rec Club in Redfern, Sydney. This two hour event for creators, collectors and camera lovers will include a live DJ set and cocktails, immersive photography workshops and a chance to try the X half for yourself. 

It’s the perfect place to start your film-inspired photography era and fall back in love with the feeling of taking photos that matter.

The X half is now available on the Fujifilm site, or you can find out more about The Moment Club on Saturday, July 12 here.