CameraReview
Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E
UNSCORED
Hasselblad · 20-35 mm · Hasselblad X mount · Medium format

Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E

From $5,929 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandHasselblad
Announcement dateJan 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
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

Brand
Hasselblad
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Jan 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The 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.

Optics

Aperture Range
f/3.2-4.5
Full Frame Equivalent
16-27mm
Optical Formula
16 elements in 12 groups
Aspherical Elements
3
ED Elements
4
Maximum Aperture at Wide End
f/3.2 (to 24mm)
Minimum Aperture
f/32
Min focal length
20 mm
Max focal length
35 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
20-35 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Autofocus mode
Yes
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
32 cm01500

Autofocus

Autofocus Type
Stepping motor with focusing drive mechanism
Maximum Magnification
0.15x

Shutter

Shutter Type
Leaf shutter
Flash Sync Speed
1/2000s
Shutter Speed Range
68 minutes to 1/2000s

Build

Construction
All-metal barrel
Length
11.7cm
Diameter
8.1cm
Included Accessories
Metal lens hood
Internal Zoom
Yes (non-extending)

Compatibility

Camera Systems
Hasselblad X System (100-megapixel capable)
Compatible Bodies
X2D 100C, X2D II, X1D II 50C, 907X

Physical

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
Lens weight
805 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
77 mm
Maximum format
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Medium format

Features

Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes