The Next Hasselblad Mirrorless Camera Looks to Be a Big Upgrade

The Next Hasselblad Mirrorless Camera Looks to Be a Big Upgrade

Hasselblad's X1D and X1D II 50C medium format mirrorless cameras have achieved some popularity for being incredibly portable while still offering extremely high levels of image quality. An updated body is expected fairly soon, and it looks like Hasselblad is planning some major upgrades to the camera. 

Photo Rumors and Chassimages are reporting that a French Hasselblad representative has confirmed the X2D medium format mirrorless camera is on its way (likely this summer) and that it will come with a variety of new features and upgrades. The most notable upgrade will be the new sensor, which will double the resolution of the old 50-megapixel sensor, resulting in 100 megapixels. Alongside that will come three new lenses, improved autofocus, in-body image stabilization, a top LCD screen, adjustable rear screen, and more. The original X1D was notable for being the first medium format mirrorless camera and packaging a lot of image quality in a very small and portable package, and in the meantime, Fujifilm has created some remarkable options in the GFX series. It looks like Hasselblad intends to address some of Fujifilm's advancements with both significant technical advancements and quality-of-life improvements. I look forward to seeing the X2D, hopefully soon! 

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Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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7 Comments

If they match GFX on price and performance, then we've got a competition and that's really good because it's been cake walk for Fujifilm so far.

The biggest difference between the two systems will likely be that Fuji's have mechanical shutters. So in a way they will still be differentiated. But it would definitely be cool to have more competition and diversity on the market!

Going from 50 to 100 megapixels is doubling the megapixel count, but that does not double the resolution. Going from 50 to 200 megapixels would double the resolution.

It’s time to loose the shutter altogether. I’d like to see a global shutter in the new camera. Old lenses would still work, just have the shutter stay open when using e-shutter. This would remove any limitations. Also would be killer for video. Basically an mini IMAX camera. Sign me up!

If Hasselblad left it 50mpx and added all the goodies AF, IBIS, Higher RES EVF and Screen I think that would have been enough provided they can start delivering units before July 15th. 100mpx even with the IBIS and not having the Super fast burst rate won't cut it. My whole idea is the next Hasselblad should be TRIPOD FREE (all their others models require a tripod) with the lenses they already produce and the larger sensor that in its self would be a winner.

In the works SOON
As reported by Photo Rumors, the Sony A7R V could also feature (opens in new tab) "real-time tracking eye focus for birds/ animals/humans", 10fps continuous shooting, 5.5 stop five axis image stabilization and 759 phase detect AF. Meanwhile, the physical body of the Sony A7R V will feature a 9.44 million pixel EVF, a 2.36 million pixel flip LCD screen and a dual CFE-A/ SD compatible card slot.
OR....MORE Complete list
Sony A7R5 full Specifications
Model ILCE-7RM5
A redeveloped image sensor with approximately 61 million effective pixels and the latest generation image processing engine capture high-definition subjects with an overwhelming sense of reality.
Optical low-pass filterless specification that maximizes the sense of resolution
Achieves approximately twice the high-speed readout compared to conventional models (* α7R IV ratio)
BIONZ XR with an innovative new architecture for the future
Achieves high resolution, high sensitivity / low noise performance, and wide dynamic range
When shooting in uncompressed RAW or lossless compressed RAW, the maximum speed is 10 frames/sec
Supports 4D FOCUS image plane phase difference method, wide range, high speed, high accuracy, high tracking AF
WIDE: 759 phase difference distance measuring points are arranged at high density in almost the entire area (about 92%) of the image sensor’s imaging screen. The area for contrast AF is 425 points.
Eye AF right / left eye selection (person / animal)
Real-time tracking
Real-time pupil AF (person)
Real-time Eye AF (Animal)
Real-time Eye AF (Bird)
Achieves high-precision AF distance measurement in the low-brightness environment of EV-4
High-precision and stable color reproduction
1200 split live view analysis metering
Low vibration and high durability shutter
The mechanical structure that suppresses blurring
Optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization that achieves a 5.5-step correction effect
Pixel shift multi shooting
Advantages unique to 16-image generation images (higher pixel count)
Get more accurate R / G / B information by shooting 16 shots
High-efficiency compression / compression / lossless compression / uncompressed RAW
10-bit recording HEIF format adopted and new viewing style “HLG still image mode”
Full size / APS-C shooting seamless switching
The latest electronic viewfinder uses a high-definition OLED with approximately 9.44 million dots and an eyepiece optical system and mechanism.
3.0-inch tiltable LCD monitor with approximately 2.36 million dots that also supports touch operations on menus
New touch-enabled menu configuration and improved touch operability
High resolution 4K (* up to 60fps) video recording with oversampling in both full size / Super 35mm
“S & Q mode” for high-quality slow and quick motion shooting
Achieves oversampling full HD 120fps video recording
“Flexible exposure setting mode” that allows automatic/manual switching settings when shooting movies
High-performance image stabilization “active mode” that strongly supports handheld video recording
“Breathing correction” suppresses fluctuations in the angle of view during focusing and supports high-quality expression
Creator’s long-awaited focus map that visualizes the depth of field of the image and reduces the load of focusing settings
“AF transition speed” and “AF transfer sensitivity” enables focus work left to the camera when shooting movies
Compatible with S-Cinetone, S-Log, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)
Beautiful skin effect that brightens and cleans the skin even during video recording and live streaming
4: 2: 2 10bit recording is possible in both the camera body and Long GOP / Intra
High-quality All Intra recording (when recording XAVC S-I)
MPEG-H HEVC / H.265 codec recording (when recording XAVC HS)
“Proxy recording” photo rumors that support efficient video editing
Custom settings that allow you to zoom in as you wish
Highlighting that shows at a glance during video recording
Zebra function, peaking function (red, yellow, white, blue)
Gamma display assist (off, auto, S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG (BT.2020), HLG (709))
Newly developed heat dissipation structure that enables continuous recording for a long time
The heat dissipation effect of Sony’s original internal structure is about 5 times that of the conventional model (α7R IV).
Anti-dust system that removes dust
Designed for more dust and water resistance
Full magnesium alloy body for high robustness
Digital audio interface capable of high-quality sound recording
Achieves highly efficient FTP transfer function
Wi-Fi compliant, IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac (2.4GHz band / 5GHz band)
Bluetooth standard Ver. 5.0 (2.4GHz band)
Equipped with synchro terminal
SuperSpeed ​​USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2) compatible USB Type-C terminal installed
High-speed charging with USB PD (Power Delivery) support
Dual slot for CFexpress Type A memory card
HDMI micro terminal (type D)

X2D looks great with the exception of the price and lack of video.