Hasselblad X1D 50c

The X1D 50c is Hasselblad's mirrorless take on medium format, released in 2016. Its high-resolution CMOS sensor is the defining feature, built for photographers who want large, detailed files.

This is a camera for deliberate work: landscapes, studio stills, portraits. At 2.3 fps it is not built for action.

The body measures 150 x 98 x 71 mm and weighs 725 g, with weather sealing and dual SD card slots that make location work practical. An electronic viewfinder and a touchscreen round out the handling.

The 50MP medium format CMOS sensor is the core of this camera, with enough resolution for large prints and generous cropping. The ISO 100 base setting suits bright conditions. Our Optics score of 74 calls this a good package, and the camera sits in the top 17% of cameras in our database for Optics.

Shooting pace is slow. The 2.3 fps rate suits considered compositions rather than bursts of action, and the 1/2000 maximum shutter speed can limit wide apertures in bright light.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results at slower shutter speeds depend on your technique or a tripod. The ISO range does extend to 25600 for dim scenes, though results at the top end depend on conditions.

Framing goes through an electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots, which gives a clear preview of exposure before you shoot. Lenses come from the Hasselblad X mount system.

Movie recording is a secondary capability rather than a core strength. The camera tops out at Full HD resolution, with a maximum frame rate of 25 fps, and saves clips as MOV files. That is enough for occasional footage, but it rules out 4K and slow motion.

Our Video score of 43 reflects this modest level of capability. The Full HD resolution ceiling and the 25 fps maximum frame rate both limit what the camera can record.

There is no built-in timelapse mode. Interval sequences would need individual frames shot manually and assembled afterwards.

If motion capture is central to your work, this camera will feel restrictive. For stills photographers who record the odd clip, the basics are covered.

Handling centres on a 3-inch touchscreen with 920,000 dots. Touch input makes menu navigation quick, and live view keeps the preview accurate. The screen is fixed, so low-angle and overhead framing means moving yourself rather than the display.

Wi-Fi is built in, though there is no Bluetooth. GPS tags each frame with location data, which is handy for travel work and location archives.

Weather sealing protects against dust and moisture in the field. There is no built-in flash, but the camera supports external flash when you need extra light.

Our Features score of 68 rates the feature set as good.

Two card slots accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media. That gives you room for large image files and lets you spread a long shoot across two separate cards.

The battery is rated at 250 shots per charge, which points to a modest session length in practice. For long days out, charged spares are part of the routine.

There is no USB charging, so batteries cannot be topped up from a laptop or power bank over a USB connection.

Our Storage and Battery score of 49 rates this area as modest, and the battery endurance is the main reason to plan ahead.