🔴 LEICA vs HASSELBLAD X2D | Winner Is? 

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A few thoughts from 35 years of working with Hasselblad. I have been using the Hasselblad system my entire professional career, from film to digital. I live in the H system landscape and that is by far the best camera I have ever owned and use. It is my most favourite camera in the world with the most beautiful images. With the changes at Hasselblad and the failure to support the H system I was left with little option but to go to the X2D. There are a lot of annoyances with it. It is VERY slow. The blackout between shots makes it almost impossible to use in a commercial setting. It is extremely temperamental to tether and the door for the USB C is not removable so you are constantly juggling with it as well as it continuously asking for you to choose if you are tethering or not. The biggest challenge I have with this camera is it is quite fragile. I had a fall from a sitting height of 2 feet off the ground and the camera landed on the lens shade. That impact cause the entire frame to rack and have to go back to Sweden for 3 months for repair at a significant cost. This would have not even chipped the lens cover for a H system camera. As a long term, high end used of Hasselblad I am extremely disappointed with this camera and the support from Hasselblad. Disappointed to the extent that I am currently considering a complete brand switch. Just wanted to share some other experiences. I love my Hasselblad's and adore the images from them but I am saddened by this latest offering. Thank you for your great videos and insights, you are much appreciated.

Nice video Matt and a wise choice in the end. You are also forgetting some important stuff. The Hasselblad camera uses lenses with a leaf shutter that's why you are not limited to that low shutterspeed flash sync. Just like the Leica Q series. This implicates that you will not be able to use your vintage lenses on that camera , besides the the fact that it is a bigger sensor which would give you serious vignetting and 100 MP for vintage lenses is absolute a wrong choice. With that in mind the whole price tag for switching will be much more cause you have to buy the lenses that you like too (keep in mind the 0.8 conversion to 35 format) . In the video you price the sensor by showing the pictures but it is for a big part due to the lenses too. Then the maintenance of those cameras, finding a Leica store and/or repair shop is not easy but what about Hasselblad, since you are depending on that camera as source of income. In favour of the Hasselbald, it comes with Phocus, a great and powerful free RAW convertor, that is build for Hasselblad image format whit some feature that are Hasselblad/Phocus specific. But maybe in the future there is money enough to have both and it is always nice to try new stuff Thanks for sharing.

Good, honest review. Thanks Matt for having to suffer using the wonderful Hassy: someone has to do it and take one for the team!. Now, the question is do I sell my SL2-S, M10-P and eight lenses, and buy the Hasselblad and one lens? I'll pass. I'm happy with my Leicas and I don't need 100 megapixels, nice as that would be. I'm waiting to see what Leica do this year. An SL3-S with 30-ish megapixels and phase-detect autofocus is my absolute dream.

Wow those example RAW photo's from the Hasselblad look astonishing beautiful! I also love the military brown/kaki color of the Hasselblad you've shown in the video. Is it also called 'reporter' version at Hasselblad? Where to buy this version? I live in Belgium and usually get my gear from Kamera Express, but everything is sold out there and temporarily unavailable.

Hasselblad of course ! No comparison !

An interesting comparison with the Leica SL/SL2 - thank you. I use the X2D for landscape photography and travel. It fits perfectly with my idea of photography - being easily portable and a joy to use. The menu system is the best I have ever used and ridiculously easy. Focussing is easy to do - getting sharp photos every time. Yes, I know the issue about the joystick - but I have found using the touchscreen, with the camera to my eye, is a good replacement and I am used to it now. This is a camera for a slow photographer. It is not for sport or wildlife. It is a thing of beauty and I love using it. In some ways it is like returning to the 4x5 such is the quality and size of the LCD screen. Thanks again

i reckon you should get one

I love the colors of the Hassy, but also 16bits raws, new IBIS, internal storage, Leaf Shooter, the Menu system, and Phocus Software... Best camera I have ever used ♥

I’ll stay with my V Series Hasselblad’s. I do use my Hasselblad lenses on a GFX 50SII and am more than happy with the results for the type of photography I do. Wouldn’t mind having a Leica film camera but then at 71 yrs old I’m more than happy with the two systems I have now. As for the “fanboys” out there all cameras are just a tool and not every tool is the right one for the job you are doing. Also there is no such thing as the perfect camera. Just ones that suit you better.

The Hasselblad viewfinder is actual 1.0x magnification. It’s truly impressive.

Good grief Matt is your eyesight deteriorating 😎Get the Hasselblad . Go for X1D ll $3300 used

In the process of selling all my GFX kit (2 bodies and 7 lenses) to buy the X2D.

So funny. Downloading 100MP files over usb-a to usb-c 😃😃😜 i hope it was a usb 3.1 gen 1. Also charging your hasselblad with a usb type-a only gives 5v 2amps max. Use a proper usb-c to usb-c cable which allows for 90 watts of charging.

Another terrific review Matt. Not super familiar with the Hasselblad but would imagine the closest Leica competitor is actually the S3. Although that is more than twice the price of the X2D whereas the X2D is (I think) around 20% more than the latest SL2.

Man must be from Kings family to have both Hasselblad and Leica 😮

I am shocked. Well I was when I first tried the original XD1 that it didn’t have monochrome or the ability to shoot square. Two things that seem synonymous with their heritage. It just baffles me as to why they wouldn’t. Anyway that’s enough to turn me off a camera. I am surprised they haven’t changed this. I think it’s the same for all their cameras. Thanks.

Hasselblad has always been a dream camera for me, but far too much money. I'd be happy with a Leica SL series as well. Well done Matt!

I have a M10, love it, something special about the experience of using it. I just purchased a X1D 1 + 45mm f3.5. In comparison the experience of shooting either is totally different. I immediately had to learn how to deal with the X1D's practical shortcomings. No doubt it will be a big learning curve for any photographer. £2640 used. I think well worth the experience, what a camera, amazing images, dynamic range wow, 4x3 is my preferred aspect ratio (Olympus). I Loved your video because of Leica / Hasselblad (X2D in my dreams) X1D dreams come true.

Here’s a comment 😊 There’s no comparison whatsoever. I use M for 20 years and Hasselblad H system from H3 onwards. Hasselblad is relative even with Phase one but Leica is a toy in comparison. I used these systems for long enough, I could talk for days on why the Blad is the better system despite of our opinion. But the Leica is nice and small and therefore very pleasant on travel and all that but since the overheating issues with the massive sensor of the Blad is solved, it is the camera at the moment of time. All these little technical differences you can work around if you know what you doing but if you want to shoot with a big sensor in harsh environments you might run into problems you simply don’t run into with the small frame set up. The Leica S3 has pretty images quality but still I rip that system apart compared to the Hasselblad image 16bit raw file. It’s another world in terms of look and post capability. It takes time to adapt to proper MFormat but it’s addictive

You are sticking with Voig not Leica 😂. Jokes aside, X2D serves one purpose - large prints. It’s really a commercial tool to plaster photos across buildings and bus stops. If you don’t need to do that as the endpoint product delivery then don’t get it. A M9 will suffice for most clients

After having the X2D in hand a few times, I just got a used X1DII and it is pretty great so far. Yes, it is slow but so am I. No IBIS and the older sensor ... But overall I think I am getting 99% the experience and apart from resolution 95% of the image quality for about 35% of the money. The new XCD V lenses are fantastic though, I'm not even interested in anything that came before. I got the 38mm and am now waiting for the 90mm.

Would you go for 55mm f2.5 + 90mm f2.5 OR 38mm f2.5 + 90mm f2.5?

And the winner is my wallet, still intact 😁.

I think a 4/3 picture size is odd, I would never consider shooting in that format , what ever camera brand

I have this camera, really love it and my Leica SL set is being sold right now…

Canon and my wallet 😂😂😂

These cameras are so different??? You can't compare them!!!

I love the medium-format image quality and don't mind the slow medium-format handling. I hate how expensive it is... but then I think of the last time I did a model shoot with my tired old Mamiya 645 1000S. I went through one pack (five rolls, 75 exposures total) of 120-size Portra 400 film, then sent it off to a high-quality lab for processing and scans. Total tab: just about exactly US $200. It was fun, and I'd love to do this kind of shoot every weekend... but if I did, allowing a couple of weekends off for holidays, I'd be spending $200 x 50 weekends = TEN THOUSAND US dollars per year on film and processing alone. And if I decided 75 exposures wasn't enough and wanted to shoot two packs, I'd be at $20,000. Obviously only the obnoxiously rich can afford to contemplate doing this kind of shoot as a regular hobby... but the obnoxiously rich who are smart with their money will find the X2D a surprisingly sensible purchase! PS for Matt: What do out-of-focus areas look like when shooting at wide apertures with the X2D vs. your 36x24mm cameras? Just curious...

I would love to get my hands on the hasselblad, incredible images , maybe one day

I think I would go with the Hasselblad over the SL system.

The flip screen has two set positions. It actually flips almost horizontal.

Just upgraded to the A7RIII. 😂 Sold everything else, but kept the Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21, Distagon 2/35 and Planar 1.4/85 on a Rayqual adapter. It's my poor man's Leica.

Hasselblad has 1.0 magnification for the EVF. IT is the larger and the best one on the market

The Nikon Z6 you tested recently also charges via USBC - provided you have the newer version of the battery (ENEL-15C, if I remember right - check)... can also download images that way. Also, if you use a black and white profile to view monochrome on LCD and in viewfinder won't this give you a bit of a false exposure/histogram?.... given that it's quite a contrasty profile. The histogram/live exposure preview/zebras will be reflected by the profile used and not what the raw file will look like

Hello Matt, I have not got a Lieca camera but have looked at them, bit I do have a Hasselblad X2D I now it is slow then most but the result are just outstanding and it dose feel so good in the hand. Keep well, Keep safe and enjoy life.

Hi Matt you don't have to use the menu button, just swipe up or down on the screen Concerning colors, I sometime have to struggle with colors with my Leica Q and Capture One, never with my 2 Hasselblad X cameras and Phocus soft.

a few thoughts on comparison of these cameras. the ergonomics of the hasselblad gives it a much lighter feel. the color renditions from the hasselblad are stunning. hasselblad gives a wider range of tones difficult to achieve from leica without post-prossing. medium format is superior in low light photography - . the focus peeking does not exist when set to fully automatic but is present in other selections and works quite well. finally on price point - hasselblad offers a kit lens (45mm/f4) and x camera on specials

Matt, a quick thanks for your great videos which are always entertaining, informative and helpful.

MATT .. You got everything , at this point what is .. the point ? I love equipment , but right now I feel like the guy , looking at the other guy's Dad in the New Cadillac ..in 1974 .... CONSUMPTION much. You might as well start buying Jaguars or Cadillac ....and Up your game. This is the Conspicuose Consumption , of the 1970's all over again... I like the Hasselblad , but can barely afford film right now , and i do not travel or have models to pose. Sometimes .. I think this is an Art for bored Playboy's and the Elitists ... not the rest of us. No .... The Race , for the Shiny toy and the Pretty girl. Very 1970's

The screen opens more than what you've shown in the video, I think you have it at the 40 degree angle.. Although I wish it flipped a full 90 degrees, 70 does the trick :)

I liked my M11. Then my X2D arrived....

The zebra is not on the X2D yet, Continuous auto-focus is expected in a firmware upgrade also. The screen has two levels it can be raised to. There is another past where you went that brings the screen to almost horizontal. It is a major expense to jump to HB as most of your lenses will not work on it. The Jupiter 8 does work and my CZJ internals and glass '51 is quite nice but to be truthful the XCD 55V is better. Great review, again.

I had the choice between the x1d and a m10r guess what I choose?

I returned an SL. I’d love the Hassy, but too expensive for me.

The screen has two distinct angles. You probably just got stuck at the first. If you give it a little nudge it goes to something like 85 degrees.

I have been using X2D since the launch, for me X2D is the best camera for general photography. Great built-in stabilization (paring with 38/55V you can get away shooting 2S hand held), great color rendering, best-in-the-market control and menu. But there’re still 2 complains that I have to address as a Hasselblad mirrorless user since X1D. Where is the built-in corp and where is focus peaking, Hasselblad?? These were feature in X1D2 and they straight removed in for X2D, why?

Matt, if i may; the X2D also has only 1/125 with old, non leaf-shutter lenses. With leaf-shutter lenses you can go up to 1/2000th. The colours of the Hasselblad are crazy good. For info; the Fuji GFX can also do 1/2000 sync when you use the Hasselblad and Fuji leaf shutter lenses; with a Fuji native adapter for Hasselblad H lenses.

aside from cost.... the X2D is clunky and awkward compared to Leica, Fuji, Nikon, etc. Images are beautiful. I am processing in Phocus as Capture One does not accommodate X2d files. Moved away from LR years ago. Shot hundreds of wedding in the 60s with my 500C but that was then... pace of photography has changed much since then. Not sure if I can justify keeping the X2d.

Wait for the inevitable S4 medium format camera from Leica. It's rumoured to be better than both the Fujifilm GFX100 II and the Hassleblad X2D.

The LCD tilts flat. Has 2 positions

Hi Matt, I own the predecessor, the X1D II and personally I find the Hasselblad X series are the most beautiful designed cameras on the market today. For me this an important fact, because a tool you like, you will use more often and with more joy. In addition, Hasselblad has by far the best and most intuitive menu design and the best integration of touch functionality (at least in my eyes). And also the wireless features a very well made and Hasselblad provides a really good app for remote control. But there are a few things I miss and unfortunately they didn't fix this with the X2D: First I would like to have a live histogram in the viewfinder But my biggest wish would be integrating TrueFocus from the H-series (available from H4 onwards) into the X-series. It is such a brilliant feature (and it works absolutely reliable) especially for portrait work. For those who don't know, Truefocus compensates automatically for the focus-shift when you are using the focus and recompose method (in contrast to a simple AF lock). This would also get rid of manually moving the focus-field around by touch or the scroll wheels. I even would prefer it over automatic eye-detection or similar things because you would not have to rely on the quality of algorithms. Btw., you are correct: the X2D has no AF-C Cheers Christian

I’m shocked that the SL can’t charge by the USBc cable. I charge with an android charging block and usbc cord often with my TL2, so it surprises me a much grander Leica wouldn’t be able to. Great video and comparison!

X2D - now AF hugely improved with face detection - from Nov 2023. Not sure how X2D tethers to Focus / Capture One / LR. Expensive compared with Fuji GFX (also has video but not leaf lenses as standard).

The X2D is an amazing machine. Like you said, it is stunning to look at and to hold, has a great interface, and the glass is among the best of the best. So why am I not buying it? In my opinion, it has too much resolution. I’m still pressing the shutter on my S007 and using S and HC glass. I could probably use HC glass all the time and be quite happy. But wait, S glass is S glass. Moving on, I wish Leica made an adaptor to use HC glass on my SL2-S. Presently, I’m using digital when it makes sense and jumping to film for the best shots. I’ve been getting a lot of punch out of a 7ii for the past few months. Thanks for another great review!

Enjoyed your presentation. Very informative! Thank you!

Hi Matt Great opportunity to test this superb camera I’m impressed by its design but I’m surprised by the bad AF you mention. Regarding colors, like Fuji GFX100, they are real whereas Leica tends always to trick colors a little to give a sexy look but at the end they are false colors This is what I love the most with these Hasselblad and Fuji sensors and color science.

Matt, it is the great attempt to bridge the gap between two different systems. I personally think, no matter of what you have or borrow is to compare the Hasselblad X with LEICA S, instead SL. The LEICA S and the Hasselblad X are the Medium Size cousin Format more suitable for comparison. Thanks.

Looks like an awesome camera :) One thing maybe for the SL2/-s they are supposed to have a high res mode where the sensor shifts a pixel four times for the same shot.. you should be getting 4x the sensor resolution on that and increased color accuracy (it would essentially emulate a ccd type sensor from what I understood..). Only usable for reproduction work but have been looking into mirrorless also because it could provide me with nicer film scans. Not sure if Hasselblad has this and if it would even matter because it already has better colour depth but just saying for specific use cases a consideration.

Is the X2D vs SL-s a fair comparison ? Same size, same weight yet only 25 mp vs 100 mp. 1 tb of memory in the X2D.

Your other video you sold your Leica lenses to save money to buy a house. Now you might buy a new Hasselblad??? Selling those Leica lenses won’t make that much of a difference for a down payment on a house.

when i had the X1DII the biggest problem for me is the shutter lag. how is the shutter lag on the X2D?

I assume by poor focus you actually meant poor continuous shooting speeds… The single shot AF speed is actually about the same with the new XCDV lenses and the SL2. No continuous af on the X2D yet. May or may not come with firmware but it’s not great on the GFX so I don’t expect much.

the hasselblad had the best grip ever

1tb internal storage is a big deal

Fuji GFX 100 II is the best ...

Hasselblad. Dang! I will just dream on........Fortunately I am pretty happy with my Leica M6/MP typ 240 and set of Leica primes.......

Has anybody tried the Hasselblad X2D/X1D with adapted lenses where you are limited to using an electronic shutter - is it an issue in the real world?

Thanks for your great view! It might be a bad question but still very curious about how to choose Nikon Z6ii and Leica Sl. They are at similar prices right now and both of them are mirrorless cameras. Thanks!

Now SL3 - much faster, 60MP, great UI, expensive !

I was tempted by the X2D before bying my SL2S but today I do not regret. I wanted to stay in the Leica environement to be able to benefit from my M lenses. So medium format only on film (120 - 6x9 and 6x12 ) with high scan resolution 🙂

My daily use for almost anything is the Nikon Z 8 coupled with the great S lenses built for that new mount. But my X2D is another world. Incredible rendering with Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution. The whole experience of theX2D is a delight. Superb ergonomics. The Z8, as most mirrorless cameras, has lots of fully customisable buttons, super AF that can spot planes even, but the X2D brings photography beautifully back to basics. Absolutely love it.

I gave the X2D a go but a bit too bulky as I travel light . I am happy with my M10 and Mandler lenses. Take care

I am worried about the degraded service from DJI (Hasselblad's owners)!

My first thoughts...man, you'll never get that house if you keep this up. LOL

Maybe Hasselblad wasn't set up to show you what you get, but what average metering would look like. Worth checking out. Many modern cameras can be charged via USB-c these days. And some older can do that too via USB 3.0. If not fully articulated screens, Fuji has 3 way ones. As well as some Sonys. No continuous AF on Hassy in 2023?? Really? Come on... On the other hand, that clutch system on the lens could be the blame. Course Fuji had some lenses with clutch design on they X line of cameras, but they had to drop that design in order to implement modern, faster motors in newer lenses...

Thanks for this Matt - really useful review.

Another great review! Love this but won’t be adding one to the kit. Nope… 907X 100 incoming though…😊

The hasselblad is way lighter on paper. You said there are the same weight ; is that a feeling ?

I recall many moons ago Leica X models had a poor reputation for AF performance, since the Leica Q was released that stereotype disappeared virtually overnight. Hasselblad X2D seems to be wearing the Leicas old trousers on that topic, and shocking to see a camera that expensive with AF from the dark ages.

Hasselblad far too expensive for me, you can get a good used Car for that money through.....also just a thought if i did have the x2d i think i would have to hire a bodyguard if i was using it in the street.......

Hi excellent video and channel thank you : did you try to compare the hassleblad files with the Sigma Quattro H and sigma 1.4 Art lenses (sensor size aside) I am stunned by the film look, color depth, sharpness and texture coming from the Quattro H they look like 6x9 film scans without the dust issues

the cheapskate in me loves the SL with all my legacy lenses. However... my heart wants to shoot the Hassy with the 38mm and the 90mm v combo.

Really enjoyable video, some exotica is best experienced second hand. On the camera it would be great if they added a multi resolution sensor for the H2D, I’m sure most of the time 30mp would be enough + it would probably speed the camera up.

5:22 100 Megapixels that average 216 Megabytes.

The x2d is great with the 90mm f/4 leica m macro lens that you know well Matt. You cant currently get the new 38, 55 and 90 xcd lenses, long wait times. Matt have you tried the Leica S3?

Very good comparison ! I also think Leica lenses are a tiny bit sharper.

The shutter speed being 1/4000 max on the new lenses and 1/2000 on the older is kinda slow compared to Leica

7:23 It's just the max mech shutter speed not the flash sync speed. You do this a lot in your videos. Also, 13:13 what's a 'Hass Pad'? you do this a lot in your videos too. Are you alright?

The Hasselblad is really nice but I am a fuji fanboy so if I one day to MF I will go GFX :)

Very interesting video. Hasselblad was always the tool of the professionals, Leica was for collectors. 😉

Interesting video Matt. I have been quite interested in both so far but have not decided to pull the trigger to purchase either camera. The X2D apparently does not have the build quality of the H system and has a few wrinkles to be ironed out in terms of software and ease of use with focussing. As for Leica it seems best to wait for the release of the SL3.

In terms of specs the m11 would be a fairer comparison

To be honest I want both lol 😂

What camera you use for pov video?

"the model was feeling quite brave" lmao

The winner is always a photographer, I believe?

I look forward to buying one in 20 years

That orange button is very cool

I am also sticking with my Leica.