Hasselblad X1D II 50c vs Leica S3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Hasselblad · Medium Format · 50 MP · Medium Format · 2.7K video
Hasselblad X1D II 50c
72
WINNER
|
Leica · Medium Format · 64 MP · Medium Format · 4K video
Leica S3
70
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Hasselblad X1D II 50c and the Leica S3 are both medium format cameras, but the Hasselblad is the smaller and lighter body of the pair. Released in 2019, the X1D II measures 148 x 97 x 70 mm and weighs 766 g. The S3, from 2018, is larger at 160 x 120 x 80 mm and heavier at 1260 g, a 494 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 19, 2019 | October 1, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 148 x 97 x 70 mm | 160 x 120 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 766 g | 1260 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica S3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 64 MP against 50 MP from the X1D II. It also shoots at 3.5 fps versus 2.7 fps, a modest edge when a second frame matters. Sensor type and format match, both CMOS and medium format, and both start at 100 ISO. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so shutter speed discipline stays part of the technique on either body. The X1D II answers with coverage for off-centre compositions, placing 117 autofocus points against the S3's single point. Its 1/2000 second top shutter speed gives the shorter exposure against 1/1000 on the S3, keeping wide apertures usable in bright light. The mounts differ, Canon EF on the Hasselblad and Leica S on the S3, so lens selection is a separate decision. The S3's ISO range extends to 50000 against 25600 on the X1D II. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
50 MP050 | 64 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8272 x 6200 | 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. |
44 x 33 | 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. |
2.7 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. |
Canon EF | Leica S |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Maestro II |
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. |
10030200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
408044080 | 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. |
1170300 | 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 | 369000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 50/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Leica S3 gives video editors more room to crop and grade, recording up to 4K while the X1D II tops out at 2.7K. Frame rates also differ, 30 fps on the Hasselblad against 24 fps on the Leica, though these are separate maximums rather than one combined mode. Clip formats differ, with H.264 on the X1D II and MPEG-4 or MOV on the S3. | ||
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. |
 2.7K |  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. |
2720 x 1530 | 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. |
H. 264 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 87/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe X1D II's rear screen is the better tool for checking focus and detail on location, a 3.6-inch display with 2360000 dots against the S3's 3-inch, 922000-dot panel. Both offer touch control, weather sealing and WiFi, and both include GPS for geotagging. The Hasselblad also offers Bluetooth, absent on the S3. Neither has a flip screen or built-in flash, and both accept external flash units. | ||
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT 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 | 3.6" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
23600001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 49/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S3's battery is rated for 500 shots against 300 on the X1D II under their respective test conditions. Both carry dual card slots taking SD, SDHC and SDXC media, and the Leica also accepts CompactFlash Type 1 cards. Neither charges its battery over USB, so a mains or external charger remains part of the kit. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash (Type 1) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | 3400 mAh 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. |
300 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Leica S3 if maximum resolution for large prints or heavy cropping, the 3.5 fps rate and the higher 500-shot battery rating matter for landscape, studio or slow-paced documentary work. Its single autofocus point means recomposing rather than selecting an off-centre point, which suits deliberate framing.
Choose the Hasselblad X1D II 50c for travel, handheld and location work, with 494 g less weight, 117 autofocus points for off-centre framing, the finer 3.6-inch review screen and Bluetooth. Both offer weather sealing, GPS and dual card slots. The lens mounts differ, so lens choice is a separate commitment.