Hasselblad H6D-100C vs Leica S3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 100 MP · Medium Format · 4K video
Hasselblad H6D-100C
66
SCORE
|
Leica · Medium Format · 64 MP · Medium Format · 4K video
Leica S3
70
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad H6D-100C and Leica S3 are both medium format CMOS cameras for high-resolution stills work, and each uses its own native lens mount, Hasselblad H versus Leica S. The Leica S3 is the lighter carry at 1260 g against 1633 g, and its 80 mm depth makes it the slimmer of the two bodies. The Hasselblad arrived in 2016 and the Leica in 2018. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 1, 2016 | October 1, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 153 x 131 x 122 mm | 160 x 120 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 1633 g | 1260 g |
| Optics | 66/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe H6D-100C is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and very large prints, with 100 MP against the S3's 64 MP. A wildlife or fashion frame cropped hard keeps more detail from the Hasselblad's file. The shooting experience splits further: the Hasselblad previews exposure on an electronic viewfinder, while the Leica keeps an optical pentaprism. The S3's faster 3.5 fps maximum rate suits brief action moments better than the Hasselblad's 1.5 fps, and its ISO scale reaches 50000 against 12800, extending the settings available when light drops. The Hasselblad's 1/2000 second top shutter gives a shorter exposure than the Leica's 1/1000 second for wide apertures in daylight. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
100 MP050 | 64 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
11600 x 8700 | 7500 x 5000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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. |
53.4 x 40 | 45 x 30 |
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. |
1.5 fps045 | 3.5 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 | Leica S |
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 |  3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
6430200 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
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. |
6430200 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
360044080 | 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. |
200080032000 | 100080032000 |
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 | 10300 |
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. |
Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | 92000009900000 | N/A |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
— | Maestro II |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Hasselblad H6D-100C holds the only slow-motion option here, with a maximum video frame rate of 30 fps against 24 fps for the Leica S3. That gap allows a gentle conform to a 24 fps timeline from the Hasselblad's clips. Recording tops out at 4K on both cameras, and the file formats differ, with the Hasselblad writing H.264 alongside its RAW video and the Leica recording MPEG-4 and MOV for standard editing software. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
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. |
3840 x 2160 | 4096 x 2160 |
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. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
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. |
Hasselblad RAW, H.264 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 68/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesGPS gives the Leica S3 the advantage for location photography, tagging every frame with its shooting position, which the H6D-100C cannot do. The Hasselblad answers with a built-in flash for occasional fill light without a separate unit. Beyond that split, the two match on the named features that matter day to day: weather sealing, Wi-Fi, live view, a 3-inch touchscreen and external flash support. Neither offers Bluetooth or a tilting rear 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. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCDE |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9220001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
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 | 57/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Leica S3 carries the longer rated battery life, 500 shots against 420 for the Hasselblad under their test conditions. Both bodies take two memory cards, the Hasselblad pairing SD with CFast and the Leica pairing SD with CompactFlash Type I. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Cfast | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash (Type 1) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | Rechargeable Li-ion | SBP PRO |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
420 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Hasselblad H6D-100C when resolution leads the work: its 100 MP files crop harder and print larger, and the shorter 1/2000 second shutter holds wide apertures in bright light.
Pick the Leica S3 for location and travel shooting, where 373 g less weight, GPS tagging, an ISO scale reaching 50000 and the longer rated battery suit a carry-first kit. Each mount locks you into its own lens range, so check the lenses you need before deciding.