Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E
Hasselblad · 20–35 mm · f/3.2–4.5 · XCD
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
64
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Exceptional optical quality comparable to prime lenses with 16 elements in 12 groups optimized for 100MP sensors
+Widest focal length in Hasselblad X System at 20mm with f/3.2 aperture—largest aperture in Hasselblad medium format
+Premium build quality with all-metal construction, weather sealing, and robust internal zoom mechanism
+Versatile zoom range covers landscape, architectural, and environmental portrait photography without changing lenses
+High-performance leaf shutter enables full flash synchronization at all speeds up to 1/2000s
+Compact and portable for medium format—weighs only 805g with minimal extend-on-zoom design
Worth Knowing
−Premium price point ($5,929) is the most expensive lens in Hasselblad's X System lineup
−Limited manual focus controls—lacks dedicated manual focus switch and focus distance scale
−Slower autofocus performance than modern full-frame systems, better suited for landscape than fast action photography
−Noticeable vignetting at widest apertures and light barrel distortion at 20mm, requiring post-processing correction
General | |
|---|---|
About This LensThe Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E is an ultra-wide zoom for Hasselblad's newest medium format cameras and represents the company's first "E" series lens, which stands for "exclusive." With 16 elements in 12 groups including three aspherical and four ED elements, it effectively suppresses aberrations and meets the high-resolution demands of the 100-megapixel sensor, delivering high-quality imaging at each focal length. When switching from primes to a zoom, it's normal to expect some compromise in image quality, but the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E does exceptionally well in bridging the quality gap. | |
| Brand | Hasselblad |
| Release Year | 2024 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. | XCD |
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 X |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. | Hasselblad X |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |  Medium Format |
Physical100/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 805 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 81 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 117 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |  Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. | 77 mm |
Optics64/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 20–35 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 3.2–4.5 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 108°–76° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 18.14 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 9020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |  Yes |
Zoom Mechanism ⓘSystem enabling zoom function |  Manual |
Zoom Ring ⓘIf zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring |  Yes |
Zoom Type ⓘThe design or approach to zooming |  Rotary |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. | 32 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.16x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes |
Features32/100 | |
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |  Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. | No |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal |
Zoom Lock ⓘZoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length | No |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification | No |
| Image Stabilization | No |
Construction54/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 16 |
| Groups | 12 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. | 3 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 4 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |  Yes |