Leica SL3 vs Hasselblad X2D Part #1: Technical Background

[@addiea5181]

For me it was the slight magenta on the walls on the Leica. The Hasselblad is just more natural. As always Math, your video as the only ones where I don't fall asleep and actually learn something. The videos from other influencers serve one single purpose. Melatonin.... 🤣

[@mathphotographer]

Haha - many thanks my friend!

[@paulbenoit249]

Great video1. For 3 months I was in this exact debate after selling all my Olympus and Nikon systems, ....managed to borrow a SL3 and a X2D for 2 afternoons to my local photo store, ....ended up with the X2D, ....and never looked back: Leica has for their them a faster autofocus and a much better range of lenses, Leica and L-Mount, ....for everything else, color accuracy (your quetion was dead easy to answer, X2D to the right all the way, even through KZbin compression, color balance difference), body stabilization, overall image rendering are like nothing else, including Leica (also had a Q2 Mono which I loved). I paired the X2D with 25, 38, 90mm, fantastic set of glass. Just wished I could also have a longer focal length (like Fuji with their 500mm). Now it is always good to come up with stringent comparisons to compare apples to apples, but for this type of camera, there is also much more to it, i.e. the feeling one has in holding that camera in his-her own owns, the tactile aspect, the ergonomy, ....like taste and colors, some components are not to be put-translated into formulas!! For sure these 2 Europen brands are, bar none, the most iconic - highend photo brands in existence today (not considering phase1, way exotic and out of reach)!

[@ducgerard2361]

sorry but the leica SL3 is not really european... The electronic is made by Panasonic....

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for your comprehensive comment and sharing this on the channel, much appreciated.

[@tonyadamis4171]

Can we all agree that this gentleman provides photographers with the gold standard for rigorous, fair-minded analysis?

[@madtom67]

I'll repeat myself, the Leica 21 mm super APO is I N C R E D I B L E !!! 😊 Great video, thanks for all the work! I'll stay with the Leica SL3 for the moment... and, I guessed correctly, for me it was the colors.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks Tom, appreciate your feedback!

[@summarity]

The Base ISO for the SL3 are listed in the manual. They are: 50/320 for photo mode, 50/320 for video mode, 200/640 for L-Log video mode and 400/1200 for HLG video mode

[@VitVids]

I was just curious last week how medium format sensors compare to modern full frame sensors since FF have faster update cycle and usually are a few generations ahead: like we just got BSI medium format sensor on X2D (that was the first BSI medium format sensor I think) while we had full frame BSI sensors for a decade. And now we have stacked full frame sensors. Looking forward to seeing the second part!

[@fbonde]

My god, that 21mm is absolutely spectacular just by these first imagines alone. Merci, Math.

[@mathphotographer]

My pleasure!

[@rsharma5901]

Got the SL3 v/s Hasselblad comparation correct. The platform of Jennifer is what made me determine what I'm familiar to seeing on Leica's. Could have been a lucky enough guess though! :-)

[@ThomazMartinez]

your explanation its pointless because you don’t give actual difference why you thought this or other just blablabla

[@rsharma5901]

​@@ThomazMartinez Did you expect me to come up with some color science data comparison!?? LOL! I mentioned in my response, what I am familiar in seeing with my Leica's. While 'feel' is not objective, is still what is subjectively important. What a trolling response! LOL.

[@ThomazMartinez]

@@rsharma5901 damn your so fake, saying you said something I'm reading your comment again nothing you said that make sense or that is any useful to anyone reading. mentioning something about platform but nothing more FFS, so many fake people online

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for sharing!😊

[@christophernewton5816]

Thank you for the video. I may have missed this, but doesn’t the DoF also depend on the sensor resolution, or are you assuming the same size for the circle of confusion? If so, what value did you use? I am looking forward to part 2.

[@mathphotographer]

That is correct and Part 2 will come out coming Saturday :)

[@GOKULLRAW]

The television to me looked wider/ stretched from the 35mm sensor. But too close to pick one over the other.. I sold my X2D100 after 8 months of owning it. The SL3 with its sensor and the Leica lenses did way better job than the Hasselblad did for me. I’m soon selling away my Fuji gfx and the canon R5 kit with its lenses too & use that money to buy more SL APO lenses.

[@mathphotographer]

So a true Leica move :) As said in the video, I love both cameras. But can clearly follow your rationale :)

[@RogerGaloubet]

In the dwindling light of a London evening I have just taken a photograph of a fox in my neighbour's abandoned garden (he died 7 months ago so it's not his fault). I used my Hasselblad X2D 100C with an XCD 135 + 1.7 multiplier that have been permanently fixed to the XCD body since I bought it almost 2 years ago. The results are truly impressive. When my wife alerted me to the fox I set the ISO at 6400 and the aperture at F11 before I climbed to peer over my garden wall. I managed 3 shots before the fox scarpered; two were blurred because the fox was moving but one was dead sharp as the fox paused to look straight at me. The impressive thing was the resulting shutter speed was just 1/15s hand held with very wobbly footing. The image stabilisation works beautifully. I've been a Hasselblad photographer for well over 40 years but the X2D is simply the best (so far!). On the strength of this single photograph I have decided to purchase another X2D body to go with my XCD zoom lens (that is presently attached to an X1D 50C body). I shall be taking both bodies and lenses on my forthcoming trip to Penang. My wife took it quite calmly considering! Btw - I guessed the X2D image correctly but it was a close call. The colour on the X2D image gave it the edge.

[@mathphotographer]

Bravo - well guessed :) Part 2 will be posted coming Saturday, looking forward to hear from you again :)

[@domipro123]

Can't wait for part two! Oh, and yes I had the guessing correct. The subtle tones showed clearly differently. That's the reason I always shoot with my H6D-400MS in Phocus in Reproduction Low Gain...

[@mathphotographer]

Part 2 will be published coming Saturday :)

[@RamonVaqueroImage]

Interesting first part video. Do you find is there a significant difference between 60 and 100 mpx resolution and sensor FF vs. MF size in practical terms?

[@mathphotographer]

Good point. Not so sure anyone on planet Earth needs 100MP :) 60MP is plenty of resolution.

[@RamonVaqueroImage]

@@mathphotographer well, we said the same when cameras reached 24MP back in the day... :)

[@SavedbybGrace]

907X CFV100C & Leica M11P is my jam. And as much as I love Leica, going back to the 1990’s, the Hasselblad is next level. Shooting with the 38,55 & 90 XCD series lenses. Image quality I only dreamed about in the past.

[@mikelyon5595]

I had the Jenifer images reversed. The Leica image seems warmer. Thank you for all your efforts!

[@mathphotographer]

Glad you like them!

[@derrickdu]

I guess it correct. I based it from the dynamic color-The color of the sky (TV) seems to have a wider range. It is very difficult to see this from a KZbin video. Some may call this lucky guess too. Looking forward to part II. Thank you!

[@thomastuorto9929]

I couldn't tell but looked for smoother trasitions between colors. The reason why, I never shot either but here over & over that MF has less banding & wider smotther transitions. Is it true? Heck if I'll ever know.

[@DonaldHawk]

Just jumped into X2D in the past two weeks. Just got a used xcd 25v lens thru B&H can you quickly comment on shutter sound. It sounded rather loud to me and wanted to make sure this was normal or whether I should question B&H. Always appreciate the work you put into your videos.

[@mathphotographer]

Will look into shutter sound, thanks Donald.

[@nelsonclub7722]

I have a similar set up SL2 with 'M lenses - I prefer the build of the 2 over the 3 - Hasselblad 907xCFV100c - love them to bits - I cannot understand though why Hasselblad did not produce a '2nd battery grip' for the X series with something which fits into the battery slot to provide power - even if it was a bigger storage fixed battery?

[@mathphotographer]

Yes, good point. But who can read Hasselblad's mind ... ?

[@o2mpx]

Kudos to you for an excellent video. Tremendous effort. Looking forward to the next episode and hope to decide to keep the X2D only instead of the SL as well. As a non professional, seems more sensible to have 1 system vs investing in both…

[@mathphotographer]

More to come! Many thanks!

[@hasselp2688]

좋은 정보 많이 얻고 있음에 감사드립니다. 터무니 없는 가격의 명품백들과는 다르게 Leica SL3와 Hasselblad X2D는 실제적으로 기능적인 면에서 가치가 있는 명품입니다. 저는 X2D를 가지고 있지만 X2D는 해상력 환자? 들을 위한 사진기이고 다른 대부분의 기능들은 SL3가 우수할 것으로 생각합니다. Part #2도 기대합니다.

[@paologaragnani5457]

I think that the most important issue is about colour, is Hasselblad that better in this field?

[@patrickmolloy6994]

wow well done Matt/ The maths is incredible !

[@salvatoreventura8667]

On my screen, the “left” Leica image is an easy pick because it has slightly better bokeh. Also, the “right” Hasselblad image is an easy pick because it’s color appears more natural (the Leica image is more pinkish in comparison).

[@mathphotographer]

:) Thanks!

[@JLLIM-f2h]

Very interesting comparison. Thank you for sharing. Appreciate this.

[@michaelherskovitz4203]

The colors of the sunset in the background had me leaning towards the right side being the Hasselblad. Overall, quite an interesting comparison. To me, it’s not really and either/or decision. Each camera has special characteristics depending upon the overall task.

[@sansin6250]

Would you please consider making a similar comparison between SL3 and GFX100/s II ?

[@mathphotographer]

Considered :)

[@michaelmortimer628]

The colors, especially on the monitor and the neon triangles, led me to guess Hassie on the right.

[@dsimon9s29]

Thanks for posting. I guessed right was Hasselblad, left was Leica. The lens in both bodies have about the same focal length, but the Hasselblad having a bigger sensor will act as a smaller focal length lens. Hence the subject should appear smaller than the Leica.

[@mathphotographer]

Well done !!!

[@BadlonMondo]

Right image Hasselblad, left one Leica - i think because of some red tint... Oh, heaven, Wish am i ever to be ready to get touch some of these technical pieces of Art...

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

Great video; thanks for all the work and sharing of so much information.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@StephenPodrasky]

Thank you for technical side as well. Always interesting.

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks Stephen.

[@bernie0617]

thanks a lot ! this is amazing :) I own both cameras and have my own opinion, but look forward to see your insights !

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks, Part 2 will be out coming Saturday.

[@marcusnz232]

I got the images correct. The colour on the TV on the right looked more like Hasselblad and the out of focus signs on the wall in the left looked more Leica.

[@josephbardwell8838]

I guessed correctly. I was looking for more color depth which to me appeared to be better on the TV on the Hasselblad image.

[@kazz7148]

The right picture has better resolution/ highlight preservation of the neon in the background, especially the brighter light on the right near the door

[@PeterbFree]

I see that the Hasselblad image is darker, with less exposure over all

[@mathphotographer]

Interesting observation, thanks for sharing!

[@atapourhassan7442]

the magenta color of the wall convinced me that image was not made by Hasselblad

[@Sniper5354]

As an owner of of both Leica M and Hasselblad X systems, I can attest to the fact that Hasselblad's colour is more vibrant, and has more corner to corner sharpness. The only exceptions are APO M lenses (especially the APO 35 and APO 50), which have equal sharpness. Leica lenses also have more 3-D pop.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelb9940]

Why would you get both?

[@renatopedro6999]

Waiting For part 2 great video, thanks for sharing

[@mathphotographer]

Glad you enjoyed it! Part 2 will be out coming Saturday.

[@kqschwarz]

OK, I got the Leica vs Hasselblad correct. It could have been a lucky guess, but I think there is slightly more depth of field on the Hasselblad which gives the impression of more sharpness. It could also just be a lucky guess....

[@PeterbFree]

I concluded Leica left, and Hasselblad right. A lot has been said about the 'supper neutral' colour of the Hasselblad, but I seldom see images generated by this system that I like. To me, the Leica simply looks more natural and clean. I know the Hasselblad has 16-bit color, and I saw a video that compared Hasselblad files to Canon files, using portraits of people, and I have to agree that for skin tone the Hasselblad was vastly superior. Perhaps the same would be true with a side-by-side comparison with the Leica SL3? I would love to see

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for sharing!

[@astudent1109]

Thank you for this helpful comparison

[@mathphotographer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrHobbs-rf3qv]

Excellent video, as usual. Your channel is one of the most competent, if not the most competent for geeking out on cameras and photography. I guessed the two pics correctly, I was attributing a slightly more intense bokeh on the left side to the Leica. Btw, looking forward to your review of the soon available Q3 43mm that I’m sure you are already putting through its paces….😌

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for the positive feedback, much appreciated. And congratulations on your correct guess. On the Q3 I am not supposed to comment but if such a camera would come out you will for sure get on the announcement day my review :)

[@MrHobbs-rf3qv]

@@mathphotographer of course I expected a classic “I can neither confirm nor deny…” 😌….looking forward to your review…..hab mich letzte Woche auf die Warteliste setzen lassen und hoffe, dass ich zum Zug komme. Gruß aus Deutschland 👋🏻

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

I chose correctly. It is the level of microdetail in the Hasselblad. I own the GFX; it as well has enormous levels of micro detail in the images. I spent days trying to identify what is the difference between my GFX and FF cameras i have; after a while i started noticing the difference; micro detail!

[@mathphotographer]

Well done. Part 2 will reveal more insights :)

[@David-zu6gw]

Left leica and hasselblad right. Because i think Hasselblad have more natural colour.

[@mathphotographer]

Well done David!

[@GastonShutters]

amazing technical review.

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks!

[@rolandomunari588]

Hi, I promise I paused the video at 5 min 30 s in and have not read other comments. Looking at it on a 12.9” iPad Pro without zooming in I had the sensation the details on the right hand side are better defined. Zooming in has strengthened this very sensation, so I would say SL3 on the left, X2D on the right. I’ll watch the rest now :)

[@rolandomunari588]

Looks like I was right :)

[@mathphotographer]

Yes my friend, your were right, congratulations!

[@frontstandard1488]

The left hand image is the Hasselblad. Depth of field is the giveaway. Otherwise they are very close. I have X1D and S1R and the full frame keeps up well and has many features more plus I use v good lenses on it. I'm impressed with full frame image quality.

[@frontstandard1488]

Maybe I'm mistaken, happy to stand corrected.

[@frontstandard1488]

I'm wrong! On an iPhone it's not so easy perhaps but now you show the Hasselblad colour I see it

[@mathphotographer]

Left-hand is Leica :) And yes, the full frame sensor performance of the SL3 is stunning!

[@bobreberger3554]

Leica left. Soft buy comparison....boots for example. The whole look seems rather soft. Hasselblad right. Very crisp and clear. There is something different about the medium format look. Buy the way I shoot GFX 100s and Leica Q3. For colors, hard to tell. Viewing on 2560x1440 Adobe RGB calibrated NEC, they are very slightly different..red magenta on Leica...blue green on Hasselblad, but not enough to make make a difference for me as to preference. Theses are the best in-depth camera vdeos on KZbin.

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks for your positive feedback. Medium format is a superior way of photography, always :)

[@webersteve1547]

I need that absolute best image quality. Why? Because then I work on the files, add grain, make them softer (for portraits), add a color cast, maybe a film look, certainly add or remove sharpness and structure, not to forget the frame 😂😂😂😂 this said, ergononics are most important

[@andyvan5692]

yes, thought the Hassy was on the right, due to the more true colours, aka the colour science of Hasselblad, unmistakable, not to saturated, warm tone, etc.

[@mathphotographer]

Well done!!!

[@peetje28021970]

I was correct in my choice because I tried the Hasselblad and found the colours warmer which clearly shows in the stand of Jennifer.

[@mathphotographer]

Hehe, wll guessed! Congratulations!

[@peetje28021970]

@@mathphotographerwasn’t a guess haha

[@bmwohl]

Viewed on my laptop with a 2.9K monitor, I couldn't tell the difference.

[@mathphotographer]

Because they are very close. I will go more into details in Part 2 :)

[@dumralp]

I never understand why people claim that larger sensors have less noise. Noise depends on pixel size and pizel size of the two cameras is the same (in essence both are sony sensors in my opinon). The density of pixels in both sensors is (almost) the same in other words pixel size is the same and consequently noise should be the same?

[@mathphotographer]

Not unlikely that both sensor are from Sony :) I think your comment is spot-on.

[@p13579a]

I guessed correctly due to the magenta tint on the left image. I might not have got it right with the SL2

[@MrSwan67]

I’ll be honest I didn’t get the quiz right But I’ve never used a Leica or a hasselblad though I am saving for an SL3

[@dexon555]

It’s the battle of the dentist cameras. 😂

[@patrickmolloy6994]

05:26 X2D on the left because I think the colour looks better. I own the X2D so I hope I guess right LOL

[@patrickmolloy6994]

oops

[@sabamacx]

I first looked to see if the image aspect size would give the camera away. When that failed, I couldn't see much difference on a youtube video despite calibrated display. The image on the right looked a little more green-casted when looking at the base and figurine/image. I said the left was the Hasseblyat as people gush over colours, and I put the green-cast as the Leica failing in that comparison. I was wrong.

[@mathphotographer]

Yes, wrong, but your arguments were spot-on. It is not so easy to see differences in these two images - which is part of what I wanted to demonstrate :) Thanks for your comment!

[@vladimirboevvisuals8032]

Dear author, could you attach peer files from your next camera reviews to google drive or other cloud storage? It is very interesting to deal with the files based on my own approach to workflow. I'm sure all viewers will support my request. Thanks a lot!

[@webersteve1547]

Doesn't diffraction allready start at 5.6 on 35 mm format? This said, adjusting the exposure to get comparable results is only interesting for static images. Once something moves in your frame, this comparison is already flawed, as exposure time is crucial then. Not to mention differences in lens design. Bei aller Sympathie, das kommt mir vor wie wenn ein BWL Student (oder Absolvent) versucht, die Brötchen einer Bäckerei zu vergleichen, mit einem leidlichen wissenschaftlichen Ansatz. Das Ergebnis ist für die Qualität der Fotografie (oder der Brötchen) völlig irrelevant. Ist nicht böse gemeint, man sieht wieviel Mühe Du für Deine Videos aufbringst, und alleine das ist schon ein Lob wert. Als Nebenbemerkung sei noch erwähnt, dass ich mit der Hasselblad liebäugelt hatte, aber das merkwürdige Bildformat mich dann bei der SL3 bzw S bleiben lässt. Quadratwurzeln hin oder her 😂

[@StephenPodrasky]

They are very close. The part that had me say Leica left Hassy Right was the base. The tone was a little different. A touch deeper tone on the base of jennifer.

[@mathphotographer]

Very well observed, Stephen. Well done!

[@eugenheller4182]

I think the left one is Leica and the right one is Hasselblad. The left one is a little more magenta. In my eyes. The right one has the Hasselblad look. In my eyes. Also. The right one is slightly bigger in size and has a more stepped down Aperture. 😊

[@eugenheller4182]

So. I watched the whole Video. I think Gerald Undone is done now. Haha. All the math took me back to when I was educated in audio visual Media Design. Horrible. Haha. It is interesting though to see how all of this works. Good job in taking the time and doing all the calculations (I assume you did them). Have a lovely weekend :)

[@mathphotographer]

Sooo correct, Eugen. Nothing less I expected from a professional like you :)

[@mathphotographer]

@@eugenheller4182Thanks for your kind feedback. Enjoy the weekend too.

[@stuartfeen9236]

There is Math, and there are influencers, especially Leica influencers, who too often are almost hysterical in their cultish praise for everything Leica. Math invariably comes to us with lots of technical and mathematical know how along with some well founded personal opinion. Influencers generally give us just hyperbole. I prefer and believe Math.

[@mathphotographer]

You are making my day, many thanks for your kind words, much appreciated!

[@manojbhartigupta6555]

👍❤️👍

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks!

[@andywe7524]

Re Min5.25 No chance to distinguish both pics of Jenifer for me.

[@mathphotographer]

Great - then I achieved what I wanted to illustrate, thanks! These images are indeed hard to distinguish.

[@JosephEFizer]

The 25mm has more compression.

[@rafibenatar2519]

Hasselblad on right just by depth of filed shallow bc of sensors size

[@Sonofagreatdad]

left hassy bc aspect ratio.

[@ThomazMartinez]

these new Leicas especially M11 have poor colors in my opinion they are to pink, and SL3 shows that, but i know Hasi tends to more to green when i tested

[@rsharma5901]

Unsure if you meant to say Leica's have a color shift to pink/red? I agree with that, but check your grammar.

[@ThomazMartinez]

@@rsharma5901 don’t care this is not grammer exam dude, at least my info is something useful than yours

[@mathphotographer]

Interesting ... thanks for sharing. In my opinion the Leica color science is pleasant too but I fully respect your verdict :)

[@cameraprepper7938]

You can save a LOT of money, getting the Fuji GFX 100S II, Sony A7RIVA or Sony A7RV and you get MORE for less !

[@jharrelphoto]

Sometimes it’s not about money. When you can afford to get a camera you want you do just that.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks for sharing. The Fuji GFX system is indeed ahead of the curve when compared with the Hasselblad X-system. But the X2D has the HNCS and this is a strong argument to consider the Hasselblad X2D :)

[@dazhsh7109]

Awfull colors

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@mathphotographer "HNCS" ??? No matter what that is, The Fuji is a much better options for most photographers !

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@jharrelphoto NO !!! Only if you are a "Gucci"-guy, which I am NOT !