With every camera being handmade in Sweden, the X1D is actually a special piece of hardware. It’s also apparently a compact mirrorless medium format camera — and that’s a first, actually. The X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance. Small enough to take anywhere, powerful enough to capture anything.
Hasselblad is one of the most venerable names in photography – its cameras have gone to the moon, after all – but some would argue the value of their $30,000 cameras has been diluted by modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, which constantly improve their image quality in much smaller, cheaper packages
To out this camera, Hasselblad turned its focus to size and optical quality. The X1D has a 50MP CMOS sensor, ISO range from 100 to 25,600, and 14 stops of dynamic range. It also shoots in full HD with dual SD card slots, GPS and WiFi. Viewing options for all your future shots would include a 3-inch 920K pixel touch display, or a 2.36MP XGA electronic viewfinder.
With just the 3200 mAh battery loaded, the X1D weighs 725 grams, which is lightweight for a medium format camera.
Your port options are straightforward: a USB-C connector, mini-HDMI and audio in/out. Hasselblad also weather and dust sealed the X1D, so it’s adventure-friendly.
Regarding lenses, Hasselblad launched a new line of XCD lenses with integral central shutters; 45 and 90mm versions are available at launch. Thankfully, the X1D is still compatible with all 12 lenses from the pro H System, but requires an adapter, naturally.
If you’re not familiar with the photography jargon, ‘medium-format’ means the sensor is much larger than even top of the line cameras like the Sony A7R II or Canon EOS 1DX. Those cameras have a 36 x 24 mm chip,. The X1D’s is 50 megapixel sensor is 44 x 33 mm – 68 percent larger.
That means the camera can capture much more light in a single shot when using comparable lenses, leading to improved dynamic range, depth of field, and color reproduction.
Given that sensor size is one of the biggest determinants of image quality – not to mention Hasselblad’s history – you can expect this thing to take spectacular photos. It also just looks really pretty.
Specs for the photo nerds
- 725 g / 1.59 lb
- Dust and Weather sealing
- 50 MP 43.8 x 32.9 mm CMOS sensor
-
5.3 μm pixel pitch
- XGA Electronic viewfinder
- 3-inch rear touchscreen with “smartphone style” UI
- Dual SD Card slots
- Wi-Fi
- GPS (at a later date)
- 14 stops dynamic range, 14-bit color
- 1.7 to 2.3 captures per second
- Native ISO 100 – 25,600
- 60 minute to 1/2000 shutter speed
- 1/2000 flash sync
- 1080p video
- USB-C
- Mini HDMI, Audio In/Out
MSRP? $8,995, which is about right for a medium format camera, especially something from the Scandinavian imaging company.
