Hasselblad updates its 100MP flagship camera: The X2D II 100C

Hasselblad has unveiled its new flagship medium format camera, the X2D II 100C, and the XCD 2,8–4/35–100mm E – a versatile standard zoom lens with a full-frame equivalent range of 28-79mm.

The new camera introduces several key advancements, including continuous autofocus and end-to-end High Dynamic Range (HDR) capabilities. It also introduces a '5D' focus-point joystick which was absent from the predecessor.

The X2D II 100C is built around a 100-megapixel medium format sensor and features Hasselblad's Natural Colour Solution with High Dynamic Range (HNCS HDR) for truer-to-life colours and greater detail in both highlights and shadows.

The camera also includes a 10-stop in-body image stabilisation system, an improvement over its predecessor.

For maximum image quality and tonal detail, the camera captures files with a 16-bit colour depth, allowing for incredibly subtle gradations between its 281 trillion colours.

When shooting continuously at 3 fps, the bit depth is adjusted to 14-bit to accommodate the faster capture speed.

For the first time in a Hasselblad camera, the X2D II 100C includes continuous autofocus (AF-C), powered by deep learning algorithms to track moving subjects.

The autofocus system also benefits from an expanded 425-zone Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) coverage and a new AF illuminator for improved low-light performance. 

Despite its numerous upgrades and new features, the X2D II 100C is 7.5% lighter than its predecessor, weighing in at just 840 grams (1.85 lbs) with the battery installed.

The 1TB inbuilt SSD remains the same, along with the CFexpress Type B card slot. Interestingly, the camera still doesn't shoot video – which makes it quite the purist camera.

Alongside the new camera, Hasselblad is releasing the XCD 2,8–4/35–100E zoom lens, which offers a 28-76mm full-frame equivalent focal length.

In the same way as Sony uses 'GM' (Gold), Nikon 'S' (Superior), Canon 'L' (Luxury) – Hasselblad denotes that this lens is an 'E' which stands for 'Exclusive' and represents the top-tier optical performance, delivering the same edge-to-edge image quality as Hasselblad’s XCD prime lenses.

The lens features the fastest stepping motor in the XCD lens lineup for quick and accurate autofocus.

The lens also features an integrated leaf shutter which offers flash synchronisation at all speeds, from 1/4000 second to 68 minutes.

This provides greater control when balancing fill flash in bright sunlight or using wide apertures in bright conditions.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is available for pre-order for a RRP of $12,650 – while the XCD 2,8–4/35–100E lens has a RRP of $7,199.

You can find out more on the Hasselblad website.

Hasseblad X2D II 100C Specifications

Body & Sensor

• Camera Type: Medium Format Mirrorless
• Construction: Machined Aluminium Body
• Sensor Type: Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS
• Resolution: 100 Megapixels (11656 × 8742 pixels)
• Sensor Dimensions: 43.8 × 32.9 m
• Pixel Size: 3.76 μm
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 148.5 × 106 × 75 mm
• Weight: 730g (Body Only) / 840g (With Battery)

Image & Storage

• File Formats: Hasselblad 3FR RAW, JPEG, HEIF

• Colour Depth: 16-bit RAW / 10-bit HEIF

• Dynamic Range: Up to 15.3 stops

• Colour Management: Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution with HDR (HNCS HDR) 

• Internal Storage: 1TB Built-in SSD

• Expansion Slot: 1x CFexpress Type B (Up to 512GB supported)

Hasselblad XDC 35-100mm f/2.8-4 technical specifications

General Lens Data

• Focal Length: 35-100mm

• Equivalent Focal Length (Full Frame): 28-79mm

• Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/4

• Length (from camera mount): 133mm (retracted) / 173mm (extended)

• Weight: 894g (excluding caps and lens hood)

• Filter Diameter: 86mm

Close Focus Range

• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.4m (at 35mm) / 0.5m (at 100mm)

• Maximum Image Scale: 1:8.0 (at 35mm) / 1:4.0 (at 100mm)

• Corresponding Area of Coverage: 35 x 26 cm (at 35mm) / 18 x 13 cm (at 100mm)

Optical Design

• Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups

• Special Elements:

  • 3 Aspherical Elements

  • 5 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Elements