Fujifilm leak confirms optical viewfinder, affordable price, and minimal UI for new compact camera
We previously reported on an FCC listing for the Fujifilm half-frame camera, which is stacking up to be an ultra-compact fixed-lens camera with a 1-inch sensor in a vertical orientation. Now, a fresh leak has emerged via Andrea Pizzini on YouTube, both confirming and dashing previous rumours and speculation of what's to come.
For starters, a leaked image shared in the latest leak indicates that the as-yet-unnamed compact camera will have a single exposure compensation dial on the top of the camera, as opposed to the film simulation, ISO, and various other dials that have featured on previous Fujifilm cameras. There is a small cutout on the back face of the camera and what looks like a lever that could move around the exposure compensation dial, but the purpose of these is unclear.
Additionally, the leaker revealed that what was previously thought to be an EVF is actually a fully optical viewfinder, although it will be in the usual top left corner location. Sticking with the range-finder-style design, there also looks to be a large diffuse flash on the front of the compact camera.
The new compact camera will also feature a fixed lens, similar to the premium Fujifilm X100VI that has become so popular recently. Although the leaker has taken steps to hide the information printed on the front of the camera's fixed lens, you can just barely make out what looks like a maximum aperture of 2.8 on the aperture ring towards the back of the lens barrel.
This leaked image also confirms the presence of the accessory shoe, which we spotted previously, but it is still unclear whether this will be a hot or cold shoe. It makes sense for it to be a hot shoe, given that even the $899.99 Fujifilm X-M5 has a hot shoe and that the vertical sensor orientation appeals heavily to social media creators. On the topic of social media creators, there are two holes right above the lens that look like stereo microphone cutouts, which again reinforces the idea of this being a hybrid compact camera.
The leaker goes on to explain that the Fujifilm half-frame camera will have an artistic Diptych feature, which will place two portrait-orientation images and/or videos side-by-side to make one landscape image. This seems less useful than features like Fujifilm's film simulations, but it may result in some fun combinations, especially in the social media era.
Fujifilm half-frame compact camera price
It has long been thought that the Fujifilm half-frame camera will be an affordable model, especially compared to the current Fujifilm line-up — a notion supported by the vertical sensor orientation that is seemingly aimed at social media creators — but Pizzini says that his informant has claimed the half-frame camera will cost under $1,000. He goes on to speculate a retail price of “around $700–800,” which would mean it would somewhat undercut the aforementioned X-M5, although the image quality and light-gathering capability from the X-M5's APS-C sensor will likely be far superior.
Previous indications are that the half-frame camera will be noticeably smaller than the X-M5, but the X-M5 is already a very compact camera. Currently, it looks as though Fujifilm will announce the half-frame camera towards the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.
Source(s)
