A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

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.

camera

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.

Headline Specifications
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.

ad

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.

Hasselblad X1D II vs credit card front
X1D II versus credit card top view
X1D II and credit card rear side

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.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
    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 749ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS R 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon R 139 mm 98 mm 84 mm 660 g 370 Y Sep 2018 US$ 2 299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R 161 mm 97 mm 66 mm 775 g 400 Y Sep 2018 US$ 4 499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S 148 mm 94 mm 91 mm 740 g 400 Y Sep 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D 150 mm 98 mm 71 mm 725 g .. Y Jun 2016 US$ 8 995ebay.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 399ebay.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.

logo
Check X1D II offers at
ebay.com

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.

Hasselblad X1D II sensor measures

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.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
    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 62001080/25p25.714.5323499
2.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
3.
 
Canon 5DS R Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.612.4230886
4.
 
Canon R Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.513.5274289
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.714.4316998
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.414.1297796
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D Medium Format 51.3 8272 62001080/25p26.214.84489102
8.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
9.
 
Leica Q3 Full Frame 60.3 9528 63288K/30p25.414.7321696
10.
 
Nikon Z7 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.314.6266899
11.
 
Panasonic GH5s Four Thirds 9.9 3680 27004K/60p23.112.8115474
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.

scroll hint
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.
 
Hasselblad X1D II3690 n3.6 / 2360 fixed Y 1/2000s 2.7/s n n
2.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 5DS Roptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon R3690 Y3.2 / 2100 swivel Y 1/8000s 8.0/s n n
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R3690 n3.2 / 2360 tilting Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50Soptional Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D2360 n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/2000s 2.3/s n n
8.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Leica Q35760 n3.0 / 1840 tilting Y 1/2000s 15.0/s n Y
10.
 
Nikon Z73690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
11.
 
Panasonic GH5s3680 n3.2 / 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.

ad

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.

scroll hint
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.
 
Hasselblad X1D IIYstereo / monoYY-3.0Y--
2.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
3.
 
Canon 5DS RYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
4.
 
Canon RYstereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50RYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50SYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
7.
 
Hasselblad X1DYstereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
8.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
9.
 
Leica Q3Ystereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
10.
 
Nikon Z7Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
11.
 
Panasonic GH5sYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-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.

ad

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]).

scroll hint
Review Scores
     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..4/54/5 Jun 2019 US$ 5 749ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS R5/5+..83/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon R4/5o4/579/1004.5/54/5 Sep 2018 US$ 2 299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R5/5..5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2018 US$ 4 499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S....4.5/585/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D..o..81/100..4/5 Jun 2016 US$ 8 995ebay.com
8.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 US$ 4 999 amazon.com
9.
 
Leica Q35/5..4.5/5....4.5/5 May 2023 US$ 5 999 amazon.com
10.
 
Nikon Z75/5+4.8/589/1004.5/55/5 Aug 2018 US$ 3 399ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GH5s....4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 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.

logo
Check X1D II offers at
ebay.com

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.

~
    loader
    ad
    Specifications Summary
    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 AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 2.7 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer 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 SealingWeathersealed 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)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Hasselblad X1D II Review