Hasselblad X1D II Comparison Review
The Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in June 2019 and is equipped with a medium format sensor. It offers a resolution of 51.3 megapixel.
Is the Hasselblad X1D II a good camera? The X1D II has a Camera Elo of 2810. This rating puts the X1D II among the top 30 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (medium format cameras), the X1D II ranks among the top 40 percent.
Hasselblad X1D II |
---|
Mirrorless system camera |
Hasselblad X mount lenses |
51.3 MP, Medium Format Sensor |
1080/25p Video |
ISO 100 - 25 600 |
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots) |
3.6 LCD, 2360k dots |
Fixed touchscreen |
2.7 shutter flaps per second |
Weathersealed body |
148 x 97 x 70 mm, 766 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Hasselblad X1D II vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Hasselblad X1D II alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Hasselblad X1D II | 148 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 766 g | .. | Y | Jun 2019 | US$ 5 749 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 5DS | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 930 g | 700 | Y | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 5DS R | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 930 g | 700 | Y | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon R | 139 mm | 98 mm | 84 mm | 660 g | 370 | Y | Sep 2018 | US$ 2 299 | ebay.com | |
5. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | 161 mm | 97 mm | 66 mm | 775 g | 400 | Y | Sep 2018 | US$ 4 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | 148 mm | 94 mm | 91 mm | 740 g | 400 | Y | Sep 2016 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Hasselblad X1D | 150 mm | 98 mm | 71 mm | 725 g | .. | Y | Jun 2016 | US$ 8 995 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica Q2 | 130 mm | 80 mm | 92 mm | 718 g | 370 | Y | Mar 2019 | US$ 4 999 | amazon.com | |
9. | Leica Q3 | 130 mm | 80 mm | 93 mm | 743 g | 350 | Y | May 2023 | US$ 5 999 | amazon.com | |
10. | Nikon Z7 | 134 mm | 101 mm | 67 mm | 675 g | 330 | Y | Aug 2018 | US$ 3 399 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic GH5s | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 660 g | 440 | Y | Jan 2018 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Hasselblad X1D II was launched in the US market at a price of $5,749. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Hasselblad X1D II features a medium format sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 0.79. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Hasselblad X1D II among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Hasselblad X1D II | Medium Format | 51.3 | 8272 | 6200 | 1080/25p | 25.7 | 14.5 | 3234 | 99 | |
2. | Canon 5DS | Full Frame | 50.3 | 8688 | 5792 | 1080/30p | 24.7 | 12.4 | 2381 | 87 | |
3. | Canon 5DS R | Full Frame | 50.3 | 8688 | 5792 | 1080/30p | 24.6 | 12.4 | 2308 | 86 | |
4. | Canon R | Full Frame | 30.1 | 6720 | 4480 | 4K/30p | 24.5 | 13.5 | 2742 | 89 | |
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. | Hasselblad X1D | Medium Format | 51.3 | 8272 | 6200 | 1080/25p | 26.2 | 14.8 | 4489 | 102 | |
8. | Leica Q2 | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/30p | 26.4 | 13.5 | 2491 | 96 | |
9. | Leica Q3 | Full Frame | 60.3 | 9528 | 6328 | 8K/30p | 25.4 | 14.7 | 3216 | 96 | |
10. | Nikon Z7 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/30p | 26.3 | 14.6 | 2668 | 99 | |
11. | Panasonic GH5s | Four Thirds | 9.9 | 3680 | 2700 | 4K/60p | 23.1 | 12.8 | 1154 | 74 | |
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 also of capturing video footage. The X1D II indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the X1D II can use is 1080/25p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X1D II has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3690k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.87x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Hasselblad X1D II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
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. | Hasselblad X1D II | 3690 | n | 3.6 / 2360 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 2.7/s | n | n | |
2. | Canon 5DS | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
3. | Canon 5DS R | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
4. | Canon R | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 8.0/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. | Hasselblad X1D | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 2.3/s | n | n | |
8. | Leica Q2 | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
9. | Leica Q3 | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 15.0/s | n | Y | |
10. | Nikon Z7 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
11. | Panasonic GH5s | 3680 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
It is worthwhile pointing out that the X1D II has a touchscreen. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, when trying to adjust the focus point.
Connection 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 Hasselblad X1D II 50C and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Hasselblad X1D II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | - | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
2. | Canon 5DS | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon 5DS R | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon R | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | 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. | Hasselblad X1D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Leica Q2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | - | Y | - | Y | |
9. | Leica Q3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
10. | Nikon Z7 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
11. | Panasonic GH5s | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y |
It is notable that the X1D II has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Further information on the features and operation of the X1D II can be found in the free online Hasselblad X1D II Manual or on the Hasselblad support site.
Expert reviews
While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X1D II handle or perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Hasselblad X1D II | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2019 | US$ 5 749 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 5DS | .. | + | .. | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 5DS R | 5/5 | + | .. | 83/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon R | 4/5 | o | 4/5 | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2018 | US$ 2 299 | ebay.com | |
5. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2018 | US$ 4 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Hasselblad X1D | .. | o | .. | 81/100 | .. | 4/5 | Jun 2016 | US$ 8 995 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica Q2 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2019 | US$ 4 999 | amazon.com | |
9. | Leica Q3 | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | May 2023 | US$ 5 999 | amazon.com | |
10. | Nikon Z7 | 5/5 | + | 4.8/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 3 399 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic GH5s | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2018 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated 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. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Hasselblad X1D II FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the X1D II.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the Hasselblad X1D II based on?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Hasselblad X1D II?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Hasselblad X1D II 50C?
Hasselblad does not publish a shutter rating for the X1D II. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Hasselblad X1D II?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Hasselblad X1D II?
No, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Hasselblad X1D II?
The X1D II offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Hasselblad X1D II feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Hasselblad X1D II for flash photography?
The X1D II's flash sync speed is 1/2000 sec.
Does the Hasselblad X1D II support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards (data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s).
Which battery does the Hasselblad X1D II use?
The camera gets its power from the Hasselblad H-3054752 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Does the Hasselblad X1D II support geotagging?
The X1D II has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Hasselblad X1D II
- Canon R10 vs Hasselblad X1D II
- Canon R6 vs Hasselblad X1D II
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Nikon 1 V3
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Nikon B600
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Panasonic G9 II
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Panasonic GX8
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Pentax KP
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A58
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A850
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony HX400V
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony RX1R
Camera Model | Hasselblad X1D II | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Hasselblad X mount lenses | |
Launch Date | June 2019 | |
Launch Price | USD 5 749 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | Medium Format Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 43.8 x 32.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 1 441 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 54.8 mm | |
Crop Factor | 0.79x | |
Sensor Resolution | 51.3 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 8 272 x 6 200 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 5.30 μm | |
Pixel Density | 3.56 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/25p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25 600 ISO | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.87x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3690k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.6 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 2360k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 2.7 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
UHS card support | UHS-II | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | USB 3.0 | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Geotagging | GPS built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Hasselblad H-3054752 power pack | |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
Body Dimensions |
148 x 97 x 70 mm (5.8 x 3.8 x 2.8 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 766 g (27.0 oz) |
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