Hasselblad H3DII 39 vs Phase One P40 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 39
46
SCORE
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Phase One · Medium Format · 40 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P40 Plus
48
WINNER
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|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Phase One P40 Plus is the more portable medium format body for location work, weighing 1030 g against 2290 g for the Hasselblad H3DII 39. That 1260 g saving matters for how each camera travels to a landscape or architectural shoot. The H3DII 39 measures 131 x 153 x 213 mm, while the P40 Plus measures 154 x 128 x 184 mm. Both are medium format cameras for high resolution stills work. The H3DII 39 arrived in 2007 and the P40 Plus in 2009. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 26, 2007 | April 29, 2009 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 131 x 153 x 213 mm | 154 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 1030 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor moving subjects the Phase One P40 Plus is the stronger choice. It shoots at 2 fps against 0.7 fps for the Hasselblad H3DII 39. It also provides 3 autofocus points, where the Hasselblad offers none. Its native range reaches 3200 ISO while the Hasselblad stops at 400 ISO, or 800 ISO expanded. Its fastest shutter setting of 1/10000 second, against 1/800 on the Hasselblad, allows shorter exposures at wide apertures in bright sun. Resolution gives neither an edge: 40 MP against 39 MP leaves no meaningful extra cropping or printing room. Lens systems differ completely, so your choice commits to the Hasselblad H system or the Mamiya 645 AF mount. Both use medium format CCD sensors with an optical pentaprism viewfinder and a 50 ISO base. Neither has in-body stabilisation, so steady support matters for slow shutter speeds. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
39 MP050 | 40 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 | 6496 x 4872 |
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 | 32.9 x 43.9 |
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 | 2 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 | Mamiya 645 AF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Hasselblad | Phase-One |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3244080 | 6044080 |
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 | 1000080032000 |
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 | 30300 |
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 ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and both lack a built-in timelapse mode. A motion clip or timelapse sequence therefore needs a separate device alongside either body. | ||
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 | 14/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Hasselblad H3DII 39 has a built-in flash, so a small fill light travels on the body without a separate unit. The P40 Plus has none, though both accept external flash for studio and location strobes. The Hasselblad also has the larger rear screen, 3 inches against 2.2 inches, making focus and composition checks easier. Screen resolution nearly matches at 230000 versus 230400 dots. Both offer WiFi, while neither has GPS, weather sealing, live view, touch control or a folding screen. | ||
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" | 2.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
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 | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days away from power, the Phase One P40 Plus holds the far stronger rating: 2500 shots against 250 for the Hasselblad H3DII 39. That tenfold difference favours all-day location sessions. Both use Compact Flash: the H3DII 39 accepts Type I or II cards and the P40 Plus standard Compact Flash. Each has a single slot, so neither offers a second card for backup, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | H3DII 39 | BP-915 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
250 shots1505000 | 2500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Phase One P40 Plus is the stronger choice for location stills work. Its 3200 ISO ceiling, 2 fps shooting, 3 autofocus points and 1/10000 second shutter suit handheld work as light and subject movement change. Its 2500-shot battery rating favours long days away from power.
Choose the Hasselblad H3DII 39 for the Hasselblad H lens system, a built-in fill flash and a larger 3-inch screen for reviewing frames. For tripod-based studio stills at base ISO, the one megapixel gap gives neither extra cropping room.