Hasselblad X2D 100c Long-Term Review: How Good Is This Camera?
TLDRThe Hasselblad X2D 100c is praised as a versatile and rewarding medium format camera, delivering exceptional optical performance and user experience. It stands out for its color accuracy, particularly in representing skin tones, and its ability to capture lifelike images with a 70% larger sensor than full-frame cameras. The camera offers 1TB of internal storage, a responsive touchscreen, and a high-quality OLED viewfinder. It also features image stabilization of up to seven stops and reliable autofocus in well-lit environments. Despite its lack of video capabilities, the X2D is a precision tool for portrait, still life, landscape, and architecture photographers, providing a premium imaging solution that exceeds expectations in terms of image quality and user satisfaction.
Takeaways
- ๐ท Hasselblad X2D 100c is praised for its surprising and rewarding performance in documentary work, with a focus on three key aspects: optical performance, user experience, and image quality.
- ๐จ The camera's color accuracy, particularly with reds, skin tones, and greens, is highly regarded, offering a natural and vibrant representation of colors, which the reviewer refers to as 'Hasselblad Natural Color Solution'.
- ๐ The image quality is described as having depth and contrast, with the larger sensor allowing for stunning files and a theatrical feel to the images.
- ๐ The camera supports 16-bit raw files with a wide color gamut and up to 15 stops of dynamic range, appealing to photographers who demand high-quality imagery.
- ๐ธ The ISO range is from 64 to 25,600, with the reviewer preferring to keep the ISO as low as possible for optimal image quality.
- ๐ฑ The camera offers high-efficiency image files for smaller, more manageable files, and the latest firmware includes a face detect autofocus mode that performs well even in challenging lighting conditions.
- ๐ค The physical design of the camera, including the angled pistol grip and customizable buttons, contributes to a comfortable and satisfying user experience.
- ๐ฑ The touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate, similar to a smartphone, and the camera's menu system is straightforward and user-friendly.
- ๐พ The X2D provides 1TB of internal storage, which is significantly faster than writing to a card, and the Hasselblad app offers seamless connectivity and image management.
- ๐ Battery life is reliable, with the reviewer charging the camera every two to three days while capturing 150-160 images daily.
- ๐น The camera lacks video capabilities, focusing solely on still image quality, and the autofocus is good for portraiture, still life, landscape, and architecture.
- ๐ The reviewer concludes that the Hasselblad X2D is an exceptional tool for photographers who demand the highest quality images and a premium user experience.
Q & A
What is the price of the Hasselblad X2D 100c camera?
-The Hasselblad X2D 100c is priced at $8,800, making it a medium format solution targeted towards a niche group of professional photographers.
What are the three key aspects the Hasselblad X2D 100c camera excels in according to the review?
-The Hasselblad X2D 100c excels in optical performance, user experience, and image quality.
What is the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS)?
-The Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) is the camera's color accuracy feature that reproduces colors as they are perceived by the human eye, providing a realistic representation of the scene.
How does the sensor size of the Hasselblad X2D 100c compare to a full-frame sensor?
-The sensor of the Hasselblad X2D 100c is 70% larger than a full-frame sensor, allowing for higher image quality and greater depth.
What is the ISO range of the Hasselblad X2D 100c?
-The ISO range of the Hasselblad X2D 100c is from 64 to 25,600, offering flexibility for various lighting conditions.
What is the user experience like when using the Hasselblad X2D 100c?
-The user experience of the Hasselblad X2D 100c is highly regarded, featuring an angled pistol grip, customizable buttons, a responsive touchscreen, and an intuitive menu system that enhances the overall usability of the camera.
What is the internal storage capacity of the Hasselblad X2D 100c?
-The Hasselblad X2D 100c offers a staggering 1 terabyte of internal storage, which is significantly faster than writing to the card slot.
How does the image stabilization perform on the Hasselblad X2D 100c?
-The image stabilization on the Hasselblad X2D 100c is rated at approximately seven stops, allowing for sharp images even at slower shutter speeds.
What is the battery life like for the Hasselblad X2D 100c?
-The battery life of the Hasselblad X2D 100c is reliable, with the reviewer charging it once every two to three days while capturing about 150 to 160 images daily.
Does the Hasselblad X2D 100c have video recording capabilities?
-No, the Hasselblad X2D 100c does not have video recording capabilities. It is designed solely as an imaging tool focused on delivering the best still images.
What are some suggested improvements for the Hasselblad X2D 100c mentioned in the review?
-The reviewer suggests improvements such as adding user profiles to the main menu for quick access, introducing new color profiles for a more cinematic or black and white look, allowing the LCD to tilt 180ยฐ, adding customizable shortcuts to command dials, and providing more information on the camera's weather resistance.
How does the Hasselblad X2D 100c perform in terms of autofocus?
-The autofocus on the Hasselblad X2D 100c is good for the types of subjects it is designed for, such as portraiture, still life, landscape, and architecture. It performs well in well-lit environments but can struggle in low light or low contrast situations.
Outlines
๐ธ Unboxing the Hasselblad X2D: A Medium Format Marvel
The first paragraph introduces the Hasselblad X2D, an $88,000 medium format camera that has exceeded expectations in optical performance, user experience, and image quality. The camera's color accuracy, particularly in capturing reds, skin tones, and the vibrancy of blues and greens, is highlighted. The paragraph also discusses the camera's impressive dynamic range and low-light capabilities, with an ISO range from 64 to 25,600. The author's initial skepticism is replaced with admiration, especially when documenting the colorful landscapes of India.
๐ค Ergonomics and Customization: A Photographer's Best Friend
The second paragraph focuses on the physical design and user interface of the Hasselblad X2D. It emphasizes the camera's intuitive controls, including customizable buttons and dials, and the ergonomic pistol grip. The paragraph also praises the camera's build quality, lightweight feel despite its size, and the responsive touchscreen. The absence of a directional pad is noted, but not seen as a drawback due to the camera's other qualities. The discussion also touches on the camera's elegant design and the simplicity of its menu system.
๐ Advanced Features and Performance: A Creative's Dream
The third paragraph delves into the camera's advanced features, including its 1TB of internal storage, the Hasselblad app for seamless image transfer and editing, and the impressive image stabilization capable of seven stops. The autofocus performance is deemed reliable for various subjects, and the battery life is noted to be sufficient for extended use. The paragraph also mentions the lack of video capabilities, positioning the X2D as a dedicated imaging tool. Suggestions for future improvements include customizable user profiles and additional creative color profiles.
๐ The Hasselblad X2D: A Tool for Exceptional Imagery
The final paragraph wraps up the review by reiterating the camera's strengths, including its optical quality, user experience, and the exceptional software integration. The author expresses a desire for a fully tilting LCD screen and dynamic resolution options. The paragraph also discusses the camera's durability and weather resistance, and the anticipation for more lenses to be released for the system. The Hasselblad X2D is recommended for photographers specializing in portrait, still life, landscape, and architecture, and those who demand the highest quality imagery.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กHasselblad X2D 100c
๐กOptical Performance
๐กUser Experience
๐กImage Quality
๐กISO Range
๐กDynamic Range
๐กFace Detect Autofocus
๐กImage Stabilization
๐กInternal Storage
๐กHasselblad App
๐กWeather Resistance
Highlights
The Hasselblad X2D 100c has been a surprising and rewarding camera for the reviewer.
At $88,000, it's a medium format solution for a niche group of photographers, but offers significant innovations.
The camera excels in three key aspects: optical performance, user experience, and image quality.
Hasselblad's Natural Color Solution (HNCS) provides highly accurate color representation.
The camera's sensor is 70% larger than full-frame, offering a unique depth and contrast in images.
The X2D allows for 16-bit raw files with a wide color gamut and up to 15 stops of dynamic range.
ISO ranges from 64 to 25,600, with the reviewer preferring to keep it as low as possible for optimal results.
The camera includes a high-efficiency image file format for smaller, more manageable files.
The physical design of the X2D, including its pistol grip, provides a comfortable and natural shooting experience.
Customizable buttons and a responsive touchscreen enhance the user interface.
The camera features a 5.76 million dot OLED viewfinder with a 1.0 magnification for a premium viewing experience.
The Hasselblad X2D has a simple and intuitive iconographic menu system.
The camera delivers 1TB of internal storage with notably fast writing speeds.
The Hasselblad app offers seamless connectivity and a range of editing tools for images.
Image stabilization is rated at seven stops, allowing for sharp images even at slower shutter speeds.
Autofocus performance is reliable in well-lit environments and suitable for portraiture, still life, and landscapes.
Battery life is reliable, with the reviewer charging every two to three days with regular use.
The camera does not support video recording, focusing solely on still image capture.
Suggestions for improvement include user profile accessibility, new color profiles, and enhanced LCD functionality.
The camera is built like a tank, offering durability and peace of mind in various shooting conditions.
The Hasselblad X2D is a precision tool that prioritizes image quality and user experience.
The reviewer found the camera to be versatile, reliable, and a joy to use for various types of photography.