Hasselblad H3DII 39 vs Phase One P45 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 39
46
SCORE
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P45 Plus
49
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H3DII 39 and Phase One P45 Plus are both 2007 medium format cameras built for high-resolution stills work. The H3DII 39 is an integrated single-lens reflex camera on the Hasselblad H system, so its lenses and body come as one package. The P45 Plus is a digital back for the Mamiya 645 AF mount, so it rides on a host body and draws on that lens system. The H3DII 39 is the heavier unit at 2290 g against 1800 g, a 490 g difference. It measures 131 x 153 x 213 mm against 156 x 128 x 184 mm. | ||
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 | January 1, 2007 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 131 x 153 x 213 mm | 156 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 1800 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P45 Plus is the stronger choice for shorter exposures or higher standard sensitivity. It supports 1/10000 second against 1/800 on the H3DII 39, a far shorter exposure for shooting wide open in strong light. Its standard range runs to 800 ISO, double the 400 ISO ceiling the H3DII 39 reaches only when expanded. Where they match, both record 39-megapixel files from a medium format CCD sensor, so either gives the same room to crop or print large. Both use an optical pentaprism viewfinder, and neither offers in-body stabilisation, so handheld work rests on technique or support. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
39 MP050 | 39 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 | 7246 x 5444 |
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 | 0.67 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 | 8003003280000 |
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 | 360044080 |
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 ComparisonVideoFor motion work you need another camera. Neither the H3DII 39 nor the P45 Plus records video or 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 | 14/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe H3DII 39 has two conveniences the P45 Plus lacks. Its built-in flash provides fill light without packing an accessory, and its 3-inch LCD is larger than the 2.2-inch panel for reviewing frames. Both take external flash for studio lighting and support wifi for wireless transfers. The screens match in kind rather than in every figure. Each is a fixed, non-touch LCD, and the dot counts sit at 230000 against 230400. Neither offers GPS, live view or weather sealing, so location tagging and wet-weather protection are unavailable on both. | ||
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 BatteryThe P45 Plus holds the clear advantage in rated battery endurance. Its BP-915 pack is rated for 2500 shots against 250 for the H3DII 39, ten times the rating. For long sessions, that rated endurance favours the back. Both write to a single Compact Flash card, the H3DII 39 accepting Type I or II cards and the P45 Plus standard Compact Flash. Neither offers dual slots or USB charging, so there is no in-camera card backup or charging 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
Choose the Hasselblad H3DII 39 for a self-contained studio camera. Its built-in fill flash, larger 3-inch screen and native H system lenses suit portraits and controlled location work. Choose the Phase One P45 Plus for long sessions or an existing Mamiya 645 AF kit. Its 2500-shot battery rating and 1/10000 second shutter support sustained shooting and wide apertures in strong light.
Resolution does not separate them, since both deliver 39-megapixel medium format files and neither records video. The choice comes down to lens family and shooting rhythm, between the self-contained H3DII 39 and the P45 Plus with its endurance and exposure range.