The Hasselblad X1D 50C and X1D II 50C have helped redefine the medium format paradigm, placing a large sensor inside a small, sleek body. Now, the X2D 100C is here, and it not only doubles the resolution compared to its predecessors, but also brings with it an impressive array of improvements and new features. In this review, we take a look at the camera and what you can expect.
I used the X1D 50C one afternoon a few years ago, and while I absolutely love owning a medium format sensor in such a compact body and the stunning files it produces, I I found it to be an annoying camera to use, with very slow speeds. interface and performance. So when I get a chance to use X2D 100C, I was hoping for the same standard of beautiful Hasselblad color and picture quality, but in a faster package. You can read more, but if you want to summarize in one line: distributed cameras.
Specifications and Design
The standout feature, of course, is the 100-megapixel medium-format sensor with 16-bit color, and as you’ll see, it doesn’t disappoint, delivering spectacularly detailed files with stunning colors. They are the kind of files that make you want to capture even the most mundane subjects, because you know you’ll get unique eye-catching renderings.
In addition, Hasselblad has added a host of other improvements and new features. There’s a 7-stop image stabilization system, which works very well. I haven’t used a tripod once in a month with the camera and every file is clear and sharp. The autofocus system gets almost three times the available area plus phase detection, making it significantly faster. Fast Wi-Fi allows for quick file transfers, and PD 3.0 fast charging is a great quality of life feature. In fact, I never once removed the battery; I just loaded it up while pulling files from the internal SSD over USB.
Speaking of that 1 TB SSD, it’s a great addition. This is something I’ve come to expect from camera manufacturers for years, and it doesn’t disappoint here. I’ve never had to open the camera once to transfer photos from the card, and the performance is insanely fast. I hope more manufacturers start implementing this with fast charging, because after charging the camera and transferring images via USB, I never want to go back to the memory card and battery charger again.
One major missing feature is video, and Hasselblad says it has no plans to add it at the moment. Honestly, that doesn’t bother me. This is not the type of camera any video professional would use, and Hasselblad has put a lot of effort into keeping the interface clean and efficient and keeping users focused on the creative process, not having to mess around with settings and menus.
Aesthetically, it maintains the attractive appearance of its predecessors. The body is only slightly larger and heavier than the X1D models, but at 31.6 oz (895 g) it’s still remarkably portable. For reference, it’s only 35% heavier than the Sony a7R IV and only 21% heavier than the Canon EOS R5, but the camera feels very solid and durable. The dark gray housing is modern and attractive, and pairs well with new, equally compact lenses.
The top color screen is quite spacious and contains all the usual information you would expect, including exposure settings, camera mode, remaining memory, and battery life. When you plug in the camera to charge, it automatically shows the current battery percentage, which is a nice touch.
The buttons and dials are well placed and intuitive, and I found myself very quickly adapting to the layout to the point where I was able to use my camera without taking my eyes off the viewfinder. The shutter button has great travel and response, and the other buttons and dials are easy to find with your thumb and finger. Between the grip and the button placement, it’s clear Hasselblad has carefully considered the exact dimensions to ensure use feels natural and intuitive.
Let’s talk about that electronic viewfinder, probably the best I’ve used. First, it uses OLED, which allows for an infinite contrast ratio. It is supported by a resolution of 5.76 million dots and a speed of 60 fps. But really, the best part is the massive 1.0x magnification, which is unusually large and makes for a great photography experience. If you’re the type of person who likes to shoot with both eyes, that means the viewfinder image and what your other eye sees is usually roughly the same size, making it easy to make composition decisions and move with the camera without losing direction.
Let’s turn our attention to the touch screen. It is both accurate and responsive. As we are so used to flagship touchscreens in smartphones, I often find the camera touchscreen, which tends to be a bit less responsive, a bit annoying to use, but it’s not. here. Other than that, it’s simply a beautiful display, making it easy to review images and manage settings.
Interface and usability
I really like the interface. It’s super simple and ensures that you never get lost in a menu instead of in the creative process. Instantly, I can find everything I need right away. You can tell Hasselblad put a lot of thought into making things clear and accessible. Yes, there’s less customization than some other cameras, but what’s there is organized in a way that’s very streamlined and easy to navigate.
A new addition to the X2D 100C is the articulating rear display, which can be tilted up to 40 and 70 degrees for low profile layouts. That’s always great to have, as it means you can avoid lying on the ground to get a dramatic shot from a low angle, and I found myself using it a few times.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the overall experience with the camera is simply faster. With the original X1D I would sometimes miss shots because the camera would randomly freeze for a second after I pressed the shutter button, navigating through everything was difficult and the overall experience just felt laggy. . Not so here. The X2D 100C has plenty of power for both casual use and for handling those large files, easily zooming in to check focus without delay.
Performance
Auto focus
This is another area that has seen a big improvement. This time, Hasselblad opted for a phase detection system, and the difference in performance is noticeable. I found focusing fast enough without getting in the way of my workflow much easier than with the X1D. Accuracy is also emphasized. During my time with the camera, it didn’t miss any shots.
As you can see, even with the annoying embarrassment and wide aperture, I was able to achieve important focus. (55mm, 1/125 second, f/3.4, ISO 400)
On the other hand, the current autofocus system is too simple. I say this at the moment because Hasselblad plans to introduce features like eye autofocus and tracking, but for now, you’re limited to a very simple system with a few spot/area sizes and tracking or single capture. Of course, those shooting with medium format cameras hitting 3.3 fps are probably not the type of people who need extremely advanced autofocus tracking features, but features like Eye autofocus would definitely be cool. In the meantime, however, what’s there works fine.
Stability
38mm, 0.7 sec, f/7.1, ISO 800
On paper, Hasselblad’s 5-axis, 7-stop in-body image stabilization puts it among the best in the industry, and that’s important, because with 100 megapixels, even the slightest bit of camera shake can happen. best. In fact, it works really well. In the month I’ve been using the camera, I’ve chosen never to use a tripod, and not once have I experienced camera shake, and I actually pushed the camera on a few occasions. For example, the fireworks photo above was taken with a shutter speed of 0.7 seconds and it’s perfectly sharp. In fact, I took a series of 10 photos at that shutter speed, and they were all sharp. That’s impressive.
Battery life
Hasselblad rates the X2D 100C as 420 shots per charge, and that’s in line with my experience. During an afternoon outing that included 162 shots with multiple playbacks on the following screen, I used 34% of the battery, which equates to 476 shots of battery life. For a mirrorless medium format camera, that’s pretty respectable. Furthermore, with PD 3.0 fast charging, all it took was a quick boot and I was ready to go. You may want to bring extra batteries, but for the way most people use medium format cameras, one battery should suffice.
Image quality
Here’s what you might be getting here, of course, and the good news is: The X2D 100C produces files brimming with detail, has plenty of room for post-processing, and offers absolutely stunning, exceptional colors. is when you are recording in 16 bit mode. I find myself aiming the camera at mundane subjects that I would never normally notice simply because I love color and detail. And speaking of details, with 100 megapixels, there’s plenty of room.
55mm, 1/250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 64
Have you ever seen Pollock up close like this? (38mm, 1/45 sec, f/4, ISO 1,600)
That extra resolution isn’t just about creating huge prints or providing clients with extreme levels of detail. It also makes files much more flexible by allowing you to crop and create multiple compositions in the post while maintaining multiple resolutions.
Colors and gradations are natural and exceptionally smooth. As mentioned, there’s also a lot of post-processing latitude. For example, in the fireworks shot above, the shadows pull up about two stops and blend together very well, with very little visible noise.
Inference
What I like
- Amazing detail and dynamic range
- Beautiful colors
- Effective in-body image stabilization
- Highly improved autofocus
- Intuitive interface
- Built-in 1 TB SSD
- Quick Charge PD 3.0
- Best electronic viewfinder I’ve ever used
- Leaf shutter lens
- Attractive design
- Quite portable
What I don’t like
- No GPS
- Limited AF customization
Buy, lean on, cling to
There’s a lot to like about the Hasselblad X2D 100C. Hasselblad has clearly listened to user feedback on the X1D models and made major improvements in tandem with upgrades like doubling the resolution and adding in-body image stabilization. Overall, it creates a smooth, responsive experience that includes everything you need and nothing you don’t, making it easy to focus on creating images. And when it comes to those photos, they’re gorgeous, full of detail, with stunning dynamic range and colors. You can buy Hasselblad X2D 100C here.
