Hasselblad is making good on its promise to launch something big. Today it introduces the X1D, a medium-format mirrorless camera with a 50MP CMOS sensor. With dust and weather-sealing the X1D isn't afraid to step outside of the studio, and offers a 100-25600 ISO range and is capable of 1080/25p HD video. We suspect the X1D uses the same sensor in the Pentax 645Z, meaning 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion, despite claims of '16-bit color'.* Its hot shoe is compatible with Nikon Speedlights and the camera can sync with flashes at its maximum shutter speed: 1/2000 sec.
Not surprisingly, the X1D uses a new lens mount, accepting XCD lenses. Two have been announced at launch: a 45mm F3.5 and a 90mm F3.2, offering 35 and 70mm equivalent fields of view, respectively (and for those curious, F2.8 and F2.5 equivalent depth-of-field, respectively). More options will follow 'shortly' including a 30mm (24mm-equiv) lens to be launched around the Photokina trade show in September. An H lens adapter will also be offered to extend support to Hasselblad's existing H lens system, with full autofocus operation.
The X1D offers a 3" 920k-dot touch screen and a built-in 2.36M-dot (XGA) electronic viewfinder. Wi-Fi and GPS are built-in, and the camera includes dual SD card slots. The X1D and its battery weigh in at 725g, which Hasselblad points out is half the weight of your typical medium-format camera. Lack of a mirror or focal plane shutter also mean there's no camera-induced shake to worry about.
The Hasselblad X1D will be priced at $8995/£5990/€7900 body-only. A kit with 45mm F3.5 lens will cost $11,290, and bundled with both lenses the X1D will cost $13,985. The XCD 45mm F3.5 will cost $2,295 separately; the XCD 90mm F3.2 will cost $2695. Hasselblad plans to offer demos of the system in July, with delivery to customers in August.
Official X1D samples from Hasselblad
Press release:
Hasselblad announces groundbreaking X1D
The world’s first compact mirrorless digital medium format camera
Hasselblad is proud to introduce the groundbreaking X1D – weighing less than half that of a conventional digital medium format camera, the mirrorless 50MP camera is a game changer in the world of photography.
Inspired by the brand’s iconic design heritage, the camera is ergonomic and compact, offering a handling experience unlike any other. Handmade in Sweden, the X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance.
Like the iconic V System, the X1D seamlessly combines portability with excellent optical quality for which the brand is renowned. Hasselblad has ingeniously introduced mirrorless technology to digital medium format for the first time ever, creating a precision performance camera that can sit in the palm of your hand. The 50MP CMOS sensor captures the finest details with true natural colours.
Commenting on the announcement Perry Oosting, Hasselblad CEO noted: “The X1D marks a pivotal point in Hasselblad’s rich 75-year history. This camera makes medium format photography available to a new generation of Hasselblad users, while pushing the existing limits of photography to new heights.”
A completely new family of dedicated autofocus lenses has been developed to support optical quality and portability, offering a wide range of shutter speeds and full flash synchronisation up to 1/2000th second.
Weighing just 725g and including HD video, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS, the X1D is a trusted partner and ideal travel companion. The robust exterior is dust and weather proof, providing durability to take with you wherever you go.
The X1D has been created with passionate photographers in mind, opening up Hasselblad to a new generation of creatives. Ideal for those who want to create the highest quality medium format images with a straightforward and easy to use camera that can fit in the palm of your hand.
The Hasselblad X1D is priced at 7,900 EUR / 8,995 USD / 5,990 GBP
Prices stated are exclusive of VAT
Hasselblad X1D specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $8995/£5990/€7900 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 8272 x 6200 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3 |
| Effective pixels | 51 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 53 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Medium format (44 x 33 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Color space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus |
|
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Lens mount | Hasselblad X |
| Focal length multiplier | 0.79× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 920,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (Nikon compatible) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/2000 sec |
| Continuous drive | 2.3 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes |
|
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25p) |
| Format | H.264 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n/ac |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | 3200 mAh li-ion battery |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 725 g (1.60 lb / 25.57 oz) |
| Dimensions | 150 x 98 x 71 mm (5.92 x 3.86 x 2.81″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in |
*Note 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion (the Sony 50MP CMOS has 14-bit ADCs) is not necessarily a bad thing. Although editing in 16-bit/color makes sense in a post-processing workflow, 14-bits are often (but not always) all that is needed at the time of capture, with higher bit-depth ADCs simply oversampling shot noise. Interestingly, it's for this reason that no more than 14 stops of dynamic range are claimed, since dynamic range - at the pixel level - cannot exceed the bit-depth of the ADC.