Introduction
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The Hasselblad X2D 100C is a pretty dramatic upgrade over the existing Hasselblad X1D II 50C, with its new sensor and processor making it not just a higher spec’d camera but one that should be much nicer to use. Its increased processing speed, and its new, faster-focusing XCD V lenses, will make it a camera that responds much more quickly than the current model, and which consequently offers a more satisfying handling experience.
This X2D 100C is the third generation of the Swedish company’s hand-holdable medium format mirrorless X series that started with the X1D 50C in 2016. While the original model and the follow-up X1D II 50C both use a 33 x 44mm 50MP sensor, this new model packs 100MP into the same space and brings a raft of additional advances.
When Hasselblad introduced the next version of its X1D 50C camera in 2019 we questioned why it was called ‘Mark II’ instead of something like ‘Hasselblad X2D’. The answer was that the then new processor and improved responsiveness of the camera weren’t enough to make it a whole new model. The jump to a 100-million-pixel sensor, phase-detection AF, a new rear screen design, in-body stabilization and a new top-plate info panel is, it seems, finally enough to trigger a new model name – hence we now have the Hasselblad X2D 100C.
Basic design
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At first glance the new camera looks much the same as its predecessor, with the same long flat-topped ‘prism’ housing and that distinctive T-shaped grip for the right hand with its pronounced forward and backward extensions. Indeed, the body of the X2D 100C is almost identical to that of the X1D, the primary difference being its all-over dark grey (not black!) finish – which I think looks rather smart. A further clue comes from the shutter button, which is now a much brighter shape of orange – not far off the Sony alpha ‘cinnabar’ – and comes with a Hasselblad ‘H’ engraved into its center.
What you can’t tell just by looking at the camera is that it is now a bit heavier, and a tiny bit bigger. At 790g (1.74 lbs) body-only the new model has put on 140g (0.3 lb), and is 9mm taller, 4.5mm thicker and a fraction wider. The additional weight might be significant to some so it’s worth mentioning, though the benefits we get from the elements that have increased the weight of the camera are also significant.
Powering the camera is a new processor that runs much more quickly. This helps to deal with the larger files produced by the 100MP sensor, but also drives improved AF speed, start-up times and the general reaction time of the camera. While the X1D II 50C saw some gain in this department over the original, all of these elements have been significantly improved on the X2D.
The camera is shown above with the existing XCD 65mm f/2.8 lens so you can compare the style with the new lenses. The old lenses do get a boost in AF speed when mounted on the new body, but they aren’t nearly as fast as the new XCD V models.
Sensor
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The new sensor comes with more pixels as well as a back-side-illuminated design that promises better noise performance. The pixel count of the sensor is 11,656 x 8742 (almost 102MP), with each pixel measuring 3.76µm – identical in size to those used in the sensor of the Sony a7R IV, the Fujifilm X-T4/X-H2S and the Phase One IQ4 150MP back. Hasselblad’s .3FR RAW files weigh just over 205MB, and you should expect a ‘Fine’ full-sized JPEG to occupy between 60MB and 90MB, depending on the content and ISO of the shot.
You will note that the 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor has a 4:3 aspect ratio and that it’s the same size as those used by Fujifilm in the GFX100 series – indeed it is almost certainly the same sensor. Hasselblad says it uses 16-bit files and claims we’ll be able to get 15 stops of dynamic range out of it. Previous tests of the 16-bit mode in the Fuji cameras showed that it offers the sort of very slight improvement in dynamic range that’s hard to detect in real-world situations. The X2D’s ISO range runs from 64–25,600.
Perhaps more significant than the extra pixels is that the sensor uses phase detection as well as contrast detection focusing. There are 294 phase detection points across an area that Hasselblad says covers 97% of the sensor. The company claims that this, together with the new processor, increases AF speed by 66% over the X1D II 50C.
In-body stabilization
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New for Hasselblad in this series is in-body image stabilization. The company says it has had a sensor-shift system in development since 2016 but had to work on it to make it small and light enough to fit in the X-series cameras. Now it claims to have the most compact IBIS system for medium format cameras. It’s a 5-axis system that Hasselblad says offers up to 7 stops of stabilization, which is a little ahead of the 6 stops Fujifilm gets in the GFX100S. Hasselblad says the X2D 100C offers handheld shooting at shutter speeds as long as one second.
The camera recognizes attached Hasselblad XCD lenses and automatically adjusts the amount of stabilization for the focal length. Those mounting third-party lenses via adapters can dial in focal lengths manually through the menu system.
Internal memory
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A really quite remarkable feature of the Hasselblad X2D 100C is its built-in 1TB SSD that’s solely for image storage. Hasselblad tells us the SD card format isn’t well-suited for moving the large files produced by the 100MP sensor, so instead the company added its own storage in addition to a CFexpress Type B card slot. The internal storage gives us 996GB to play with, which is room for 4004 Raw+JPEG images, 5331 Raw files or a cool 16,000 JPEGs – which should keep most of us going for quite a while.
The SSD mounts on your desktop just like any other drive when the camera is connected to a computer and the files can be copied over at high speed. Hasselblad says the write speed of the SSD is 2.37GB/s and it can be read at 2.85GB/s, which is about twice the speed of regular external SSDs and a good bit faster than the best CFexpress cards, which top out at 1.90GB/s. It is also massively faster than the 312MB/s maximum promised by UHS-II SD cards. Transfer speeds to your computer will be limited by the type of disc you are copying to, the cable, the port speed and the 1.25GB/s USB port of the camera itself.
Ports
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The Hasselblad X2D 100C has done away with the dual SD card slots of the X1D II 50C, instead offering a single slot for a CFexpress Type B card. The card can be used as the primary image destination or as a run-over when the internal SSD gets full. Users can also opt to have images backed up across the two storage media, or indeed to have the SSD ready to receive when the CFexpress get full.
Hasselblad recommends Sony CEB-G series CFexpress memory cards and SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress memory cards.
Above the memory card slot you’ll see a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connector port that allows theoretical transfer speeds of up to 10Gbit/s for getting data off the SSD. This is the same port that’s used for charging the battery, but you can’t charge the camera while data is transferring. You can charge the camera via your PC’s USB but only when the camera is off. You also need the battery to have some juice left to get the images off the SSD, and you’ll need at least a USB 2.0 cable to do so otherwise the drive won’t mount.
Top display
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I rather liked the look of the pop-up mode dial of the X1D series, but am sufficiently pleased with the new information display panel on the X2D 100C that I didn’t miss it for more than a couple of seconds. The new LCD offers an at-a-glance view of the main camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance and exposure mode. We also get to see how many frames are left for the storage option we’ve selected, and a constant view of our battery life.
While the battery is on charge in the camera this panel also reports the level of charge as a percentage. When the camera is switched off a quick press of the ‘On’ button brings up the battery status on this screen without having to fully switch the camera on. The top of the camera is also where we adjust ISO/WB and our exposure modes by pressing the buttons to the left of the screen – press once for ISO, twice for white balance.
The panel is a 1.08″ TFT with 158,400 dots. Hasselblad points out that the panel offers 18-bit full color, but we only see colors when the battery is depleted or on charge.
Flip screen
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While previous Hasselblad X1D models had a fixed rear screen, this model hosts that same screen on a tilting two-position hinge. The screen flips up from the bottom, with convenient firm stops at 40° or 70° to the body. It doesn’t flip down or out from the side.
The screen measures 3.6″ across, offers 24-bit color and has a 2.36-million-dot resolution (1024 x 768 pixels) just like the X1D II 50C. It’s touch sensitive for navigating the menu and for adjusting the AF point, and can be used as a trackpad to move the AF point when your eye is at the viewfinder.
Electronic Viewfinder
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The camera’s 0.5″ OLED EVF is a major upgrade in terms of resolution, refresh rate and magnification – and even diopter adjustment.
I think the new diopter adjustment method is the most exciting new element, but I’ll save that till after I’ve mentioned the resolution upgrade from 3.69 million dots to 5.76 million (1600 x 1200 pixels), which makes a big difference to the user experience. With the help of the new processor the refresh rate of the EVF has been improved to 60fps, and as there’s no method in the menu system to select EVF frequency it runs at full speed the whole time.
The new viewfinder is big too, with 1x magnification, up from the 0.87x magnification of the EVF in the X1D II. This makes the view very clear and life-like, and comfortable with a normal lens if you shoot with both eyes open (the company doesn’t give us an eye-relief figure). A sensor on the EVF housing allows it to automatically switch between EVF and rear display depending on where your eye is.
Hasselblad has dispensed with the old-fashioned wheel for adjusting the diopter of the EVF that other camera manufacturers use, and instead uses an electronically controlled adjustment. Selecting ‘EVF Diopter’ in the menu prompts an eye-test-like display of the word ‘Victor’ repeated at different sizes in the viewfinder. Turning the command dials allows adjustment until the words look as sharp as possible. This might be a fraction more long-winded than using the traditional wheel mounted on the housing, but it prevents accidental adjustments.
Battery
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The camera uses the same updated 24.7Wh lithium ion battery as the X1D II 50C, which is great for anyone who owns one already. The battery can be charged inside the camera using the supplied 30W block that feeds the camera via the PD 3.0 USB-C socket, and the camera can also charge from power banks or any USB source that delivers power. Hasselblad says the charge time with its charger is about two hours, and that you can expect about 420 shots per charge according to the CIPA rating system.
As well as internal charging, owners can use the optional Hasselblad Charging Hub accessory that takes two batteries, including the previous 23.3Wh version.
Menu display
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The camera’s menu interface is much the same as that of the previous model, but with a few minor adjustments. We no longer have the additional tab on the right of the screen to switch between stills and video, because the X2D 100C doesn’t offer video – this despite its having mics on the front of the body and a speaker on the rear. Hasselblad tells me that video won’t be added, at least ‘in the near future,’ and you’ll already have noted that there’s no mic or headphone sockets next to the USB.
The main menu icons are in a slightly different order now, and they are joined by new-comers Flash and Stabilization. The menu remains quick to navigate and mostly straight-forward – once you get to know where everything is. GPS is no longer supported.
New lenses
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Although the first thing you’ll notice about the new XCD V lenses is their cool design, their most important aspect is Hasselblad’s claim that they focus up to three times faster than the original lenses. The V models have new linear stepper motors and lighter focusing groups that help shift focus around much more quickly.
A new XCD V 55mm F2.5, XCD V 38mm F2.5 and XCD V 90mm F2.5 lens were launched with the camera, marking the beginning of a new series. Hasselblad says the existing focal lengths will gradually be updated to match. The new lenses are smaller than the previous designs and offer a nicer manual focusing experience. The rubber of the original lens rings is replaced by metal ribbed with the classic Hasselblad H that we see on the H-series lenses, and we have depth-of-field scales as well as a manual focus clutch that pulls forward to reveal a distance scale marked in both feet and meters.
The ring closest to the camera is a function ring that can be customized to control one of four features: aperture, shutter speed, ISO or exposure compensation. It can also be deactivated should you find you are turning it by accident.
Wide apertures
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Both of the new lenses shown here have a maximum aperture of F2.5 and close down to F32, and they can share the same metal lens hood. They have a 72mm filter thread, and come with a new-design lens cap – again with an H on it. (The new 90mm lens will be released at the same time, but a sample wasn’t available at the time of writing.)
The 38mm lens has a viewing angle of 70°, which will give the kind of view we’d expect from a 30mm lens on a full frame system. The 55mm lens has an angle of view of 53°, which equates to 43mm on full frame, and the 90mm’s 34° angle will make it a 71mm equivalent.
The 90mm has thinner shutter blades and a slightly different shutter unit, which allow it to reach shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec while the other lenses can manage 1/2000 sec. They all have leaf shutters, with the same number of iris blades as the old lenses, so they will sync with flash at all speeds.
Summary and pricing
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It was a cause for some celebration that the Hasselblad X1D II 50C was so much less expensive than the original X1D 50C, and that it followed the trend of the last decade of Hasselblad equipment becoming more accessible. It is hardly surprising, though, that this new model, with its 100MP sensor and new processor, costs a good deal more. It isn’t outrageously expensive for a Hasselblad, though, and while it costs more than the Fujifilm GFX 100S, it is a good deal less than the GFX 100. The Fujifilm GFX 100S costs about $6,000, and the Hasselblad X2D 100C will be $8,199. For the sake of comparison, the GFX 100 is going to cost you $10,000.
The new lenses too cost more than the existing models, adding about 25% to the price. If the extra speed, wider apertures and neat designs are important to you then the extra cost will be justified. I think the new lenses make the whole camera system very much more usable, with greater flexibility for tackling a wider range of subjects, so you get a significant uplift in performance for the money.
Between the doubled resolution, the new processor, the new AF system, the 7-stop IBIS, and the faster lenses, the Hasselblad X2D 100C really does represent a spectacular upgrade to the X series. Fingers crossed for a 907X 100C with all the same new bells and whistles.
100MP – ENDLESS COLOUR AND DETAIL
Utilising a 100-megapixel medium format back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor with a native ISO of 64, the X2D 100C captures life in vivid colour and exquisite detail. Over 281 trillion colours are represented with the 16-bit colour depth. This immense dimension of colour paired with 15 stops of dynamic range allows the X2D 100C to capture the subtle intricacies of highlights and shadows as they are seen in the natural world.
The Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) optimises colours to appear as authentically as the eye perceives them. Captured without any presets – artistic visions effortlessly come to life.
IBIS – KEEP MOMENTS SHARP
The X2D 100C features 5-axis 7-stop in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) to assist in capturing crisp handheld shots. To better control the size and weight of the X2D 100C, Hasselblad has built the most compact medium format IBIS solution on the market. 3 It meets the stringent requirements a 100-megapixel medium format sensor has for stabilisation while ensuring the light weight and portability of the camera.
RELIABLE HIGH-VOLUME STORAGE BUILT-IN
High-quality imaging demands considerable storage. A first for medium format cameras, 3 the X2D 100C features a built-in 1TB SSD with a write speed up to 2370MB/s, and a read speed up to 2850MB/s. 5 Although ample storage is built-in, additional space can be added using the CFexpress Type B card slot. Thanks to its high-speed storage performance, the X2D 100C is able to continuously shoot 16-bit RAW images in Continuous Drive Mode, providing a stable and reliable continuous shooting experience.
Built-in SSD
Faster Write Speed Than an SD Card
EVERY DISPLAY EXCELS
The 3.6-inch touch display presents a clear image even under strong light and tilts to gradual angles for diverse shooting needs. It supports a resolution of 2.36 million dots, bringing accurate, true-to-life colours to view.
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