Hasselblad X1D II 50c

The Hasselblad X1D II 50c is a medium format camera released in 2019. Its high-resolution sensor and slow 2.7 fps shooting pace suit photographers who value detail over speed.

The body weighs 766 g and measures 148 x 97 x 70 mm, which makes it a camera you carry deliberately rather than casually.

Owning one means working at its pace. Continuous shooting tops out at 2.7 fps, so fast action and quick bursts are off the menu, and the sections below set out the trade-offs in detail.

The 50 megapixel medium format CMOS sensor is the reason this camera exists. That resolution supports generous cropping and large prints. The ISO range runs from 100 to 25600, so the settings are there when light drops.

Speed is where the compromises sit. Continuous shooting tops out at 2.7 fps, and the maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 s, so the camera suits composed frames rather than action or erratic subjects.

Autofocus offers 117 points. There is no in-body stabilisation, so slow shutter speeds call for steady hands or firm support.

Framing is a strength. The electronic viewfinder offers 3.69 million dots for a detailed eye-level view of the scene.

Video is supported but sits behind stills here. Recording resolution reaches 2.7K, frame-rate support includes 30fps, and files use the H.264 codec.

A 2.7K ceiling limits how much you can crop or reframe footage in editing, and it rules out native 4K delivery if that is part of your plan. For clips that accompany a stills session, or straightforward documentation, it is serviceable.

The 3.6-inch touchscreen provides live view for screen-based video framing. Its 2.36-million-dot display also gives a detailed view for checking clips between takes.

Composition and control run through a 3.6-inch TFT LCD with 2.36 million dots, touch input and live view. The panel is not fully articulating, so its movement is more limited than a flip-screen design.

The body is weather sealed, which helps in dust and drizzle, though sealing is not waterproofing and sustained rain still calls for cover. Built-in GPS tags your files with location data, which simplifies cataloguing landscape and travel shoots.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built in for wireless connection. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash is supported, so lighting setups remain open to you.

Storage goes through two slots that take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. You can load two cards before a shoot, and both slots accept the same SD family, which keeps card choice simple.

The 3400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at 300 shots per charge. A charged spare makes sense for a long or demanding shooting day.

There is no USB charging. Charge the battery before a long day and keep a spare ready when the shoot cannot pause.