Hasselblad H3DII 50 vs Phase One P40 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 50 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 50
47
SCORE
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 40 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P40 Plus
48
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H3DII 50 and the Phase One P40 Plus are both medium format digital cameras, announced in late 2007 and 2009. The Hasselblad shoots through the Hasselblad H lens system, while the Phase One uses the Mamiya 645 AF mount, so the lenses you already own largely decide the path. Carrying weight is the practical split for location work. The H3DII 50 measures 153 x 131 x 213 mm and weighs 2290 g, against 154 x 128 x 184 mm and 1030 g for the P40 Plus, a 1260 g difference. | ||
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 | 153 x 131 x 213 mm | 154 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 1030 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe H3DII 50 is the stronger choice when maximum print size or heavy cropping matters, because its 50 megapixels give you 10 million more pixels than the P40 Plus. Both use CCD sensors of medium format size and optical pentaprism viewfinders, so resolution is the headline imaging difference. The P40 Plus covers far broader shooting settings. Its standard ISO range reaches 3200 against 400 on the Hasselblad, keeping higher settings available in dim interiors. Its fastest shutter shortens to 1/10000 second for wide apertures in bright light, and it shoots at 2 fps rather than 1 fps. Three autofocus points instead of one help when the subject moves. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
50 MP050 | 40 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6132 x 8176 | 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. |
37 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. |
1 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. |
10300 | 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 neither offers built in timelapse, so both are strictly stills tools. If your workflow needs motion clips or automated interval sequences, plan on a separate 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 P40 Plus is better connected on set, offering Wi-Fi that moves files off the camera without a cable, while the Hasselblad has no wireless option. That matters when you want to check frames or hand off images during a shoot. The Hasselblad offers the larger rear screen, at 3 inches against 2.2 inches on the Phase One, giving more room to check focus and composition. Both screens are fixed, non touch LCDs with dot counts within 400 of each other. Both cameras support external flash but lack GPS, live view and 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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. |
No |  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 P40 Plus is far better equipped for long days away from power. Its BP-915 battery is rated for 2500 shots against a 250 shot rating for the H3DII 50, a tenfold gap in rated endurance. Storage is close in practice. Both cameras write to a single Compact Flash slot, with the Hasselblad specified for Compact Flash Type II, and neither offers a second slot for backup. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type II) | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | H3DII-50 | 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 50 if your work is resolution led, such as gallery prints, product tables or architectural frames in controlled light, because its 50 megapixel sensor gives the extra pixels for bigger output and deeper crops. Its 250 shot battery rating and ISO 400 ceiling suit studio power and steady lighting.
Choose the Phase One P40 Plus for location and mixed light work. It is lighter to carry, is rated for 2500 shots, reaches ISO 3200 for dim venues, freezes bright scenes at 1/10000 second, and moves files over Wi-Fi. The choice comes down to maximum resolution against flexibility, endurance and portability.