Hasselblad H3DII 39 vs Phase One P65 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 39
46
SCORE
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 60.5 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P65 Plus
48
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H3DII 39 and the Phase One P65 Plus are both medium format digital cameras built for high-resolution stills work. The H3DII 39 arrived in 2007, with the P65 Plus following in 2008. The P65 Plus is the far lighter package at 993 g, against 2290 g for the H3DII 39, a 1297 g difference. The H3DII 39 measures 131 x 153 x 213 mm, while the P65 Plus measures 155 x 128 x 184 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 26, 2007 | July 14, 2008 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 131 x 153 x 213 mm | 155 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 993 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P65 Plus is the stronger choice for large prints and heavy cropping, with 60.5 megapixels against 39 for the H3DII 39. That is 21.5 million more pixels to draw fine detail from a big landscape print or a tightly cropped composition. The lens systems are completely different: the H3DII 39 uses Hasselblad H system lenses, while the P65 Plus fits the Mamiya 645 AF mount. The P65 Plus also offers 3 autofocus points, which the H3DII 39 does not have. Its sensitivity and shutter settings reach further, with 3200 ISO against 400 and a 1/4000 second top shutter against 1/800. Both use medium format CCD sensors, start at 50 ISO and frame through optical pentaprism viewfinders. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
39 MP050 | 60.5 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 | 8984 x 6732 |
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 | 40.4 x 53.9 |
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 | 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 | 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 | 400080032000 |
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 ComparisonVideoMotion capture is off the table with both cameras: neither the H3DII 39 nor the P65 Plus records video or built-in timelapse. Both are dedicated stills tools, so any project that needs clips alongside high-resolution frames requires a second camera. | ||
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 a built-in flash, handy for a touch of fill light on location, while the P65 Plus relies entirely on external flash units, which both cameras support. The H3DII 39 gives you more room to review frames, with a 3-inch LCD against the 2.2-inch screen on the P65 Plus. Dot counts are nearly identical at 230000 and 230400. Both offer Wi-Fi, and neither has GPS, live view, touch control 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" | 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 P65 Plus carries the higher rated battery life, 2000 shots against 250 for the H3DII 39. Each uses its own battery, the BP-915 in the Phase One and a dedicated H3DII 39 battery in the Hasselblad. Both record to single Compact Flash cards, with the Hasselblad accepting both Type I and Type II cards. Neither offers dual card slots or USB charging, so overflow recording and recharging happen away from the camera. | ||
| 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 | 2000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For maximum detail in large prints, the Phase One P65 Plus is the stronger buy. Its 60.5 megapixels, 3200 ISO ceiling and 1/4000 second top shutter suit demanding studio, landscape and reproduction work, and it carries the higher battery rating at 2000 shots against 250.
The Hasselblad H3DII 39 is the right choice if you already own Hasselblad H system lenses, or if you want a built-in fill flash and the larger 3-inch screen for reviewing frames on the camera.