Hasselblad H3DII 50 vs Phase One P65 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 50 MP · Medium Format
Hasselblad H3DII 50
47
SCORE
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Phase One · Medium Format · 60.5 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P65 Plus
48
WINNER
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|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H3DII 50 and the Phase One P65 Plus are medium format digital cameras built for high-resolution stills work. The H3DII 50 arrived in 2007, and the P65 Plus followed in 2008. Their mounts set the lens choice, with Hasselblad H system glass on one and Mamiya 645 AF on the other. The Hasselblad body is far heavier, 2290 g against 993 g, which matters for tripod loading and location kit. | ||
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 | 153 x 131 x 213 mm | 155 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 2290 g | 993 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P65 Plus is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 60.5 MP against 50 MP, a 21 percent higher pixel count. It also keeps working as light falls, reaching 3200 ISO where the H3DII 50 stops at 400 ISO and 800 expanded. A 1/4000 second top shutter allows shorter exposures at wide apertures in daylight, against 1/800 on the Hasselblad. Three autofocus points on the P65 Plus versus one on the H3DII 50 give more placement options for off-centre subjects. Both use CCD sensors in medium format with a 50 ISO base and optical pentaprism viewfinders, and neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steady support matters for handheld work. Both shoot at 1 fps, so neither suits fast action. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
50 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. |
6132 x 8176 | 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. |
37 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. |
1 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. |
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 or built-in timelapse, so this comparison comes down entirely to stills capture. Any workflow that needs motion clips would rule both out. These are single-purpose high-resolution stills tools. | ||
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 P65 Plus offers WiFi for wireless image transfer, which the H3DII 50 lacks, giving shooters a cable-free way to move files. For image review, the Hasselblad's 3-inch LCD is larger than the 2.2-inch screen on the Phase One, a bigger view when checking detail on location. Both are LCD panels, and the dot counts differ by just 400. Both support external flash, so studio lighting works on either system. Both also lack GPS, weather sealing, live view, touch control and articulating screens. | ||
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 P65 Plus is rated for 2000 shots per charge, against 250 for the H3DII 50, a large gap for a long studio or location day. The H3DII 50 uses its H3DII-50 pack and the P65 Plus uses the BP-915, and neither charges over USB, so spare charged packs matter on either kit. Both record to a single Compact Flash slot, with the Hasselblad taking Type II cards, so neither offers a backup card while shooting. Card planning is simply a matter of capacity per assignment. | ||
| 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 | 2000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Phase One P65 Plus is the stronger choice for a working high-resolution stills setup. It brings more pixels for large prints, a far wider sensitivity range and a faster shutter for wide apertures in daylight. Three autofocus points instead of one and WiFi transfer add practical advantages, and its battery rating stands at 2000 shots against 250.
Choose the Hasselblad H3DII 50 instead if you want native Hasselblad H system lenses, already own H glass, or prefer its larger 3-inch screen for review. Neither offers video, weather sealing or dual card slots, so the choice rests on resolution, sensitivity, lenses and battery endurance.