The Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek and incredibly competent mirrorless camera that continues to push medium format photography outside of the studio. It is distinguished by its intelligent design as well as its outstanding photographic capabilities.
Compared to the first generation X System camera, this second-generation model boasts a revamped and extended feature set that is intended to improve performance while making overall operation even more simple and straightforward. There is little doubt that the X1D II’s most important feature is its enormous 43.8mm x 32.9mm 50MP CMOS sensor, which produces high-resolution pictures with an impressive 14-stop dynamic range, 16-bit color depth, and an ISO sensitivity range of 100-25,600.
This sensor, like the others from Hasselblad, makes use of the company’s Natural Color Solution, which produces realistic and attractive color tones with excellent consistency and smooth tonal transitions. A new electrical platform also offers a quicker continuous shooting rate of 2.7 frames per second, as well as a shorter startup time, decreased shutter latency and blackout durations, and more rapid focusing performance, among other benefits.
When it comes to balancing image capabilities, the X1D II is characterized by an upgraded body that features a bigger 3.6″ 2.36m-dot touchscreen LCD and a 0.87x magnification 3.39m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. These features work together to give a more pleasant and straightforward viewing experience for photographers working in a variety of lighting settings.
With an unusually deep right-hand grip and a smooth aluminum alloy body, the X1D II preserves the unique physical design of the original model. The leaf shutter design of the XCD lenses, which eliminates the requirement for a camera-based shutter mechanism and allows for complete flash sync across the whole shutter speed range up to 1/2000 sec, contributes to the overall slimmer overall form factor.
Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi allows for wireless remote control and file sharing through Phocus Mobile 2, and an embedded GPS module allows for the recording of position data for geotagging purposes.
Hasselblad Natural Color Solution in conjunction with a 50MP CMOS sensor
This camera is built on a big 50MP CMOS sensor with dimensions of 43.8 x 32.9mm. It is capable of producing images with an extraordinarily broad dynamic range of up to 14 stops and a vibrant 16-bit color depth.
When used in conjunction with the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution, tonal transitions and skin tones exhibit incredible depth, detail, and clarity, resulting in images that are true to life, even in deep shadow and dazzling highlight zones.
Still, images are stored in either the Hasselblad 3FR raw file format or as JPEGs to accommodate working in a variety of lighting circumstances. A sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600 is provided to accommodate working in a variety of lighting conditions.
Hasselblad Natural Color Solution is designed to work in conjunction with the amazing picture quality of the 50MP CMOS sensor to produce photographs with the most natural color possible without the need to experiment with different presets or a range of filters.
This system is also capable of producing images with unusually smooth tonal transitions that are evocative of analog film capture, which is made possible in part by the X1D II’s 16-bit color depth, which is used to create the images.
Body Design
- With its 2.36 million dots (1024 x 768) resolution, the rear LCD’s touchscreen interface allows for easy control, menu navigation, and video playing. In addition, the upgraded screen features a fast 60 frames per second refresh rate for more fluid playing, and the screen allows autofocus point drag and drop placement as well as autofocus point size adjustments with pinch and spread finger movement as well.
- This camera’s enhanced 3.69m-dot (1280 x 960) OLED electronic viewfinder has a high 0.87x magnification, allowing for bright and clear vision at eye level. In addition to improving manual focus accuracy, the menu system may be accessed through the EVF for more intuitive adjustment while working in bright environments.
- The UHS-II protocol is supported by both of the SD memory card ports, allowing for quicker read and write rates.
- Built-in Wi-Fi allows for wireless file sharing as well as remote camera operation from a distance. Aside from that, Phocus Mobile 2 provides an extremely rich tethered shooting experience whether shooting from an iPad Pro or an iPad Air (2019).
- The USB 3.0 Type-C port may be utilized for a variety of tasks including file transmission, tethered shooting from an iPad, and in-camera battery charging when connected to a computer or charger.
- The integrated GPS module may be utilized to capture position information into image files, which can then be used for geotagging applications.
- The body is made of machined aluminum alloy with a clean surface finish and a small number of buttons and dials, resulting in a more simplified user interface and a distinct ergonomic and elegant appearance. Additionally, because of the incorporation of leaf shutters inside the lenses, the overall design of the body may be greatly reduced, resulting in a more compact and lightweight form factor overall.
Additional Camera Functions
- When compared to the original generation X1D, the updated electrical platform achieves quicker overall performance, including a 46 percent faster startup time, reduced shutter latency and blackout periods, as well as more rapid focusing, among other improvements.
- This camera has been designed specifically for use with the XCD family of lenses, which include an integrated central shutter mechanism capable of synchronization rates of up to 1/2000 second.
- Phocus Mobile 2, which is available for the iPad Pro and iPad Air (2019), allows for the direct import, modification, and rating of raw photographs, as well as the direct import and rating of full-resolution JPEG images. Also included are support for full-resolution image export, tethered shooting, and direct camera control in Phocus Mobile 2.
Hasselblad X1D II 50C Specs
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $5750/£6400/€6000 |
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Max resolution | 8272 x 6200 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3 |
| Effective pixels | 50 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Medium format (44 x 33 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 117 |
| Lens mount | Hasselblad X |
| Focal length multiplier | 0.79× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.6″ |
| Screen dots | 2,360,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.87× (1.1× 35mm Equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,690,000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 4080 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/10000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject/scene modes | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (Nikon compatible) |
| Continuous drive | 2.7 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
| Resolutions | to be added later |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | 3400 mAh li-ion battery |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 766 g (1.69 lb / 27.02 oz) |
| Dimensions | 148 x 97 x 70 mm (5.83 x 3.82 x 2.76″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | Built-in |
