Hasselblad H3DII 39 vs Hasselblad H3DII 50 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 39
46
SCORE
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Hasselblad · Medium Format · 50 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 50
47
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H3DII 39 and the Hasselblad H3DII 50 are sister medium format digital cameras, announced on the same day, 26 November 2007. Both weigh 2290 g and share the same three body dimensions, 131, 153 and 213 mm, so the choice between them rests on resolution and features rather than the body. Because both are medium format bodies built around the Hasselblad H system, either one accepts the same range of H lenses. Whichever you pick, you are choosing a large, deliberate studio-and-field camera rather than a fast action body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 26, 2007 | November 26, 2007 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 131 x 153 x 213 mm | 153 x 131 x 213 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 2290 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe H3DII 50 is the stronger choice for large prints and heavy cropping, with 50 megapixels against 39 on the H3DII 39. Eleven extra megapixels mean more room to crop a distant detail or push a landscape print bigger without upscaling. The two cameras match closely beyond resolution. Both use a medium format CCD sensor, the Hasselblad H mount, a 50 to 400 ISO standard range and an 800 ISO expanded ceiling. Their shutters top out at 1/800 second, and both frame shots through an optical pentaprism viewfinder. The H3DII 50 is slightly quicker, shooting at up to 1 fps with one autofocus point, against 0.7 fps and zero points on the H3DII 39. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
39 MP050 | 50 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5412 x 7212 | 6132 x 8176 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
36.7 x 49 | 37 x 49 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Medium Format | Medium Format |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
0.7 fps045 | 1 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Hasselblad H system | Hasselblad H system |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Hasselblad | Hasselblad |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
4003003280000 | 4003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8003003280000 | 8003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3244080 | 3244080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
80080032000 | 80080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
00300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoIf you need motion footage alongside stills, neither the H3DII 39 nor the H3DII 50 provides it. Both are stills-only bodies, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 23/100 | 23/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe H3DII 39 is the more convenient body day to day, offering a built-in flash and wireless connectivity that the H3DII 50 lacks. That flash gives you a quick fill option for casual portraits, and wireless transfer moves files off the camera without a card reader. The rear screens match, with both cameras carrying a fixed 3-inch LCD of 230,000 dots, no touch control and no live view. External flashes work on both, while neither offers GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single CompactFlash slot, so neither one offers a second card for backup or overflow while shooting. Both carry a 250-shot battery rating, and neither charges over USB, so you swap batteries on a charger between sessions. One card detail differs: the H3DII 39 accepts CompactFlash Type I or Type II cards, while the H3DII 50 takes Type II only. If you already own older Type I cards, the 39 is the body that will read them. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | H3DII 39 | H3DII-50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
250 shots1505000 | 250 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the H3DII 50 when resolution is the job: its 50-megapixel sensor gives the most room to crop and the largest print headroom for studio, portrait and landscape work, plus a slightly faster 1 fps rate and one autofocus point.
Choose the H3DII 39 if those extra megapixels matter less than convenience. Its built-in flash, wireless transfer and wider CompactFlash compatibility make everyday shooting and file hand-off easier, and its 39 megapixels still serve large prints well. Both weigh the same 2290 g, so neither choice asks you to carry more.