Review: Hasselblad X1D II 50C Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Hasselblad X1D II 50 C is a medium-format mirrorless camera, released in 2019. Ian Howorth's in-depth Hasselblad X1D II 50 C review covers the camera's specs, sensor, handling and image quality. How does it perform for photography? Over to you, Ian.

In 2016, when Hasselblad released the original Hasselblad X1D 50 C—the world’s first mirrorless medium-format camera—it was jaw-dropping. And we’re not just talking about the features, design and selection of lenses. At ten grand, photographers baulked at the price of unproven technology. It was revolutionary but still an expensive gamble. Then, in late 2019, came the second iteration—the Hasselblad X1D II 50 C.

With the X1D II 50C, Hasselblad released what the original should’ve been from the outset. The second iteration substantially improved upon the first. So, let’s take a closer look at the Hasselblad X1D II 50C and how it compares to the original Hasselblad X1D-50c.

Smaller size, but not by much

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C is smaller. But only by 2%, more or less. With a new design, Hasselblad made an effort to keep the body compact while improving features and maintaining performance. A small camera is no good if it frequently overheats. The Hasselblad X1D II is marginally heavier at 766g, by just 40g without a lens, but this shouldn’t cause any issues for most users.

A slightly better medium-format sensor

On paper, no difference between the first and second iterations of the X1D. You’re still getting a 51.3-megapixel sensor, measuring 8272 by 6200 pixels. But the updated processor means better out-of-camera JPEGs, as well as improved noise reduction and colour accuracy. While we can’t imagine anyone shooting solely on JPEG with this, it’s still a nice feature.

Video

While it looked like the Hasselblad X1D II 50C would have some video upgrade over its predecessor, either in improved colour space or even resolution, the X1D II 50C launched with no video capabilities—just a mode wheel with a video logo. Fast forward to June 2020, and Hasselblad updated its capabilities, offering 2.7K or HD video with 4:2:0 8-bit colour. It's nothing to write home about, but then this is a stills camera through and through. We imagine video is only added if a scene presents itself that absolutely has to be captured in motion.

A continuation of super-safe handling

The ergonomics of the original X1D were near-perfect. The Hasselblad X1D II 50C adds a slightly rougher texture to the grip—and what a wonderful grip it is, too, with a deep recess for your fingers. This is one of the few cameras that you can hold without a strap and feel totally safe.

Upgraded features

This is where things get interesting. The Hasselblad X1D II 50C has a much-improved resolution in the viewfinder—3690 dots vs 2360 dots on the original X1D— and a whopping 2360 LCD dots, compared with just 920 dots for the original X1D. And, yes, both are every bit as good as the numbers suggest.

The rear LCD is a touch screen, now with almost zero lag. Thanks to a large amount of real estate, everything is zippy and quick to use. It makes changing settings super easy—even for people with sausage fingers. The side buttons work in perfect harmony with the touchscreen swipe-and-select. Lovely.

The autofocus still isn’t quite there yet

The original Hasselblad X1D wasn’t the fastest or the most sure-footed when it came to autofocus. Unfortunately, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in this respect. The Hasselblad X1D II 50C works on a contrast-detect system, which is perfectly fine when conditions are optimal. But as soon as light gets flat or lacks contrast—who’d have guessed it?—the autofocus hunts. A lot.

But focus peaking! If you can’t use the autofocus, the bright viewfinder and rear LCD give you accurate focus peaking if things get a bit testing. It's all part of the joy of shooting mirrorless.

Outstanding image quality

Medium format is a draw because it handles dynamic range and colour well. This is where the Hasselblad X1D II 50C shines.

In the image above, we added contrast because there was simply so much information in the shadows. Like with many digital cameras with a RAW option—most worth their salt—sensors are optimised to give you as many options in the post to create the images you want. The high dynamic range allows you to have a flatter image without raising shadows too much and introducing noise, or to add contrast if you want a more dynamic image. And this camera delivers a masterclass.

The availability of colour is astounding, as is the control of highlights and how they transition to shadow. Just look at it.

Images with a prevalent colour—like the green in the image above—are rendered with more nuance. The large sensor allows a more subtle distinction between shades of green and yellow, yielding a more true-to-life image.

The ‘medium format look’ is the ability to provide greater depth and colour than cameras with smaller sensors. As the sensor is much larger, you can effectively create a more shallow depth of field with the equivalent full-frame or crop-sensor focal length lens. 

For example, shooting at f/2 with a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera would look more like f/1.2 on the Hasselblad X1D Mk II. And that’s where so much of the magic happens.

When shooting medium format, you also get a certain pop. And it isn’t sharpness—it combines the high-resolution smooth focus fall-off with the wider colour pallet.

Sharpness is heavily disguised. No image seems over-sharpened or synthetic, even though the Hasselblad XCD 45mm f/3.5 lens is razor-sharp. Viewed at normal distances, images seem organic. It’s only when you crop into the images that you can see just how sharp they are.

Look at this 100% crop. The level of detail that the sensor and lens resolve is simply outstanding.

The way the sensor maintains detail everywhere is astonishing, even on long exposures. While you might still be wise to bracket exposures in dynamic lighting environments, the camera does a surprisingly good job of correctly exposing in auto functions. But, as the viewfinder is so accurate, you can still expose it manually. If you’re shooting at a slower pace, it offers tremendous control over your exposures.

Slowly and steadily wins the race

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C isn’t the fastest-handling camera or the speediest shooter. So, if that’s your style, then this camera isn’t for you. While it’s sometimes frustrating to use, this camera serves a niche. It does what it does incredibly well.

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C's start-up time is much faster than its predecessor. But due to the silly button at the top, you’re not always sure whether the camera is off or not. Unlike most other models, pressing the shutter doesn’t revive the camera, which led to us missing a few shots. Battery life isn’t great either. Turning the camera off and on again doesn’t help. For a day’s shooting, you’ll probably need two batteries—three for safety.

But—but!—that’s more-or-less everything annoying about the camera. You have to accept that a camera so good and powerful will always have a few kinks.

The Hasselblad X1D Mk II is a beast of a camera. The sensor simply outputs so much information that the processor must be dedicated to processing images. This camera isn’t about convenience or speed, so it shouldn’t be judged on those factors. It is all about image quality and outputting the best possible image.

We are thoroughly impressed with the Hasselblad X1D II 50C. It will reward patience with fantastic images. Is the lower price worth it? We think so.

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