Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs Hasselblad X1D II

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II 50C are two professional cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2021 and June 2019. Both the GFX 50S II and the X1D II are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a medium format sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 51.1 megapixels, whereas the Hasselblad provides 51.3 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm GFX 50S II		Hasselblad X1D II
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm G mount lenses		Hasselblad X mount lenses
51.1 MP – Medium Format sensor		51.3 MP – Medium Format sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/25p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (50 - 102,400)		ISO 100-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.2" LCD – 2360k dots		3.6" LCD – 2360k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		2.7 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		no shake reduction
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
150 x 104 x 87 mm, 900 g		148 x 97 x 70 mm, 766 g

Check GFX 50S II price at
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ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II 50C? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Hasselblad X1D II is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Fujifilm GFX 50S II. Moreover, the X1D II is markedly lighter (15 percent) than the GFX 50S II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the GFX 50S II gets 440 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-W235 battery, while the X1D II can take .. images on a single charge of its Hasselblad H-3054752 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	440	Y	Sep 2021	EUR 3 999	amazon.com
2.		Hasselblad X1D II	148 mm	97 mm	70 mm	766 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	EUR 5 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon R5	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	738 g	320	Y	Jul 2020	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
4.		Canon R5 C	142 mm	101 mm	111 mm	770 g	320	Y	Jan 2022	EUR 4 999	amazon.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	161 mm	97 mm	66 mm	775 g	400	Y	Sep 2018	EUR 4 499	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	148 mm	94 mm	91 mm	740 g	400	Y	Sep 2016	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	152 mm	117 mm	99 mm	1030 g	540	Y	Sep 2023	EUR 7 999	amazon.com
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	460	Y	Jan 2021	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
9.		Hasselblad X1D	150 mm	98 mm	71 mm	725 g	..	Y	Jun 2016	EUR 9 399	ebay.com
10.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
11.		Leica Q3	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	743 g	350	Y	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
12.		Nikon Z8	144 mm	119 mm	83 mm	910 g	340	Y	May 2023	EUR 4 599	amazon.com
13.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
14.		Sony A1	129 mm	97 mm	81 mm	737 g	530	Y	Jan 2021	EUR 7 299	amazon.com
15.		Sony A7R V	131 mm	97 mm	82 mm	723 g	530	Y	Oct 2022	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The GFX 50S II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the X1D II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a medium format sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the X1D II is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 0.79. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the X1D II offers a slightly higher resolution of 51.3 megapixels, compared with 51.1 MP of the GFX 50S II. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 5.33μm for the GFX 50S II). Moreover, it should be noted that the GFX 50S II is much more recent (by 2 years and 2 months) than the X1D II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

Unlike the X1D II, the GFX 50S II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (205MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Hasselblad X1D II 50C are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.9	14.8	3456	100
2.		Hasselblad X1D II	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	25.7	14.5	3234	99
3.		Canon R5	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8K/30p	25.3	14.6	3042	95
4.		Canon R5 C	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8k/60p	25.4	14.5	3082	96
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.7	14.4	3169	98
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.4	14.1	2977	96
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	8K/30p	25.9	15.0	3651	101
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.8	14.7	3391	100
9.		Hasselblad X1D	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	26.2	14.8	4489	102
10.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
11.		Leica Q3	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	8K/30p	25.4	14.7	3216	96
12.		Nikon Z8	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	8K/30p	26.3	14.2	2548	98
13.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
14.		Sony A1	Full Frame	49.8	8640	5760	8k/30p	25.9	14.5	3163	98
15.		Sony A7R V	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	8k/24p	26.5	14.8	3187	100
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GFX 50S II provides a higher frame rate than the X1D II. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Hasselblad is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The GFX 50S II and the X1D II are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 3690k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and Hasselblad X1D II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	Y
2.		Hasselblad X1D II	3690	n	3.6 / 2360	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.7/s	n	n
3.		Canon R5	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	Y
4.		Canon R5 C	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	3690	n	3.2 / 2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	9440	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	Y
9.		Hasselblad X1D	2360	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.3/s	n	n
10.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	n	Y
11.		Leica Q3	5760	n	3.0 / 1840	tilting	Y	1/2000s	15.0/s	n	Y
12.		Nikon Z8	3690	Y	3.2 / 2089	full-flex	Y	1/32000s	30.0/s	n	Y
13.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
14.		Sony A1	9437	n	3.0 / 1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	30.0/s	n	Y
15.		Sony A7R V	9440	n	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the GFX 50S II, but is missing on the X1D II is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the GFX 50S II and the X1D II write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and Hasselblad X1D II 50C and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	-
2.		Hasselblad X1D II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	-	3.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon R5	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon R5 C	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
9.		Hasselblad X1D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
10.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
11.		Leica Q3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Nikon Z8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
14.		Sony A1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony A7R V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the X1D II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The GFX 50S II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Fujifilm. In contrast, the X1D II has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the X1D II from Hasselblad. Further information on the features and operation of the GFX 50S II and X1D II can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm GFX 50S II Manual (free pdf) or the online Hasselblad X1D II Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/25p).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (30 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 2 months of technical progress since the X1D II launch.

Arguments in favor of the Hasselblad X1D II 50C:

• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.77x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.6" vs 3.2") for image review and settings control.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 134g or 15 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• More prestigious: Has the Hasselblad luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 2019).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GFX 50S II emerges as the winner of the contest (8 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Hasselblad X1D II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the GFX 50S II or the X1D II. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	5/5	..	5/5	87/100	..	5/5	Sep 2021	EUR 3 999	amazon.com
2.		Hasselblad X1D II	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2019	EUR 5 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon R5	4.5/5	+	4/5	91/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2020	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
4.		Canon R5 C	..	+ +	..	..	..	..	Jan 2022	EUR 4 999	amazon.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	5/5	..	5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2018	EUR 4 499	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	..	..	4.5/5	85/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	5/5	+	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Sep 2023	EUR 7 999	amazon.com
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	5/5	+ +	5/5	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2021	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
9.		Hasselblad X1D	..	o	..	81/100	..	4/5	Jun 2016	EUR 9 399	ebay.com
10.		Leica Q2	..	..	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
11.		Leica Q3	5/5	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
12.		Nikon Z8	5/5	..	5/5	94/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2023	EUR 4 599	amazon.com
13.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	4.6/5	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
14.		Sony A1	5/5	o	4.5/5	93/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2021	EUR 7 299	amazon.com
15.		Sony A7R V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	92/100	..	..	Oct 2022	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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