There's One Thing About The Hasselblad X2D 100mp Camera

I got my hands on a Hasselblad X2D 100 megapixel medium format camera and as a landscape photographer, I am quite intrigued. In this video I foucus mainly on the quality of the IBIS as Hasselblad claim a whopping 7 stops worth of image stabilisation. How will this hold up in the real world?
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[@wendynewing8834]

I am not usually attracted by street photography, but oh boy, that cafe window shot is an absolute stunner! What a beautiful piece of art. The quality of these images is stunning.

[@garethbartlett]

The cafe reflection shot is one of those that inspires you to want to go out and shoot. Absolutely stunning mate 👏

[@SamTaylors]

The reflection picture shot in the cafe window is stunning. Not your usual style but a magnificent image. Would love to see you explore that type of urban landscape a little more. Thank you for sharing

[@MrDeanJamieson]

I know this video is all about the camera, and it looks like a truly magical piece of kit, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE the images in this video. Especially the seaweed shot and the cafe window shot. Absolutely wonderful images! (Have you ever tried any street photography?) As always, love the video! Keep 'em coming!

[@grattenperea]

I would love to see Tom's approach to street photography as well!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I remember a video from several years back where he tried street shooting in London. Massive fail. If you're a regular, you know Tom has a real phobia of shooting around strangers. He was able to get these architectural shots because beach season is over and the boardwalk is virtually deserted.

[@mhc2b]

I ordered the X2D from Hasselblad the morning it was announced (9/7/22). I now have the camera in-hand. I'm normally a "tripod" shooter also, but am looking forward to trying my luck at hand holding. Totally agree with you about the absence of video. Thanks for a wonderful review.

[@carlosoruna7174]

Try a good monopod. With a leitz ball and socket.

[@mhc2b]

@@carlosoruna7174 I do have a good monopod, but my point was that I have never been good at hand-holding other than with super fast shutter speeds. Since my post a couple of months ago I have tried hand holding with IBIS, and have discovered that I can now hand hold and get sharp images. This is new for me in my golden years, but something I am so happy to now be able to do if & when I want.

[@fotofysik9186]

Man, the images in this video! Really think they are among the best in a while. Especially liked the mood in the seaweed image and the colours and general take on the scene of the cafe interior. Massive like!

[@cninh4574]

Just found your channel recently and I have to say I'm shocked at how lovely it is. A lot of the time with photography channels I have a few complaints or things I put up with because some of their content is worth it, but your stuff is PERFECT! Thoughtful, informative, beautiful, well-edited, calming, and honest. Looking forward to digging in to the archives.

[@oliscurra]

I cannot agree with you more. 👍🏽

[@SeanLuc_Photo]

Thomas, I know you are not a gear review channel and that is why I enjoy watching your videos. So, now you go a do a very simple gear review video for the one camera that has my eye and I am in. The fact that you picked the Image Stabliation to speak on showed me you clearly understanding of the camera. 100 MP is definitely to much for the average photographer but if anyone is looking to purchase this camera, I would not place them in the average catagory. Mr Heaton, bravo and well done!

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

I think a lot of your viewers would be happy to see you doing some more street photography Tom (especially if we have more harsh-light summers like this last one!) 😁 Modern image-stabilisation is truly remarkable

[@kucekto]

Didn't expect this from you! Cant wait to finish the video for all the images

[@_AF__]

One thing I'm noticing, beyond the impressive IS and the detail, is the color. These shots look so good. I just need to win the lottery.

[@jameswright1641]

Thanks for the review! Glad we're getting more options for those who like premium quality handheld cam! I'm checking at some of the units and I think the X2D 100C is the one with the most intuitive functions and easiest UI. I'm saving bit by bit so I could get one soon!

[@creeks-and-peaks]

I loved the shot you printed out!

[@stkhapugin]

Awesome review. Having high-performance IBIS and insane resolution is liberating! You can shoot hand-held in pretty much any light, and crop in post to get perfect framing - all without the need to lug around and set up the tripod! I had a similar experience with a Sony before, but the UI on that was killing me; looks like Hasselblad is far more intuitive and has a much better screen for previews.

[@davidskinner274]

I love the cafe shot through the window too. A great shot

[@davidbacon2863]

Great review - thanks @Thomas Heaton. I’ve had mine for 2 weeks now and think you’ve summed it up perfectly!

[@markattardo]

Glad you had a go with it. It's not something I've felt compelled to watch reviews about. Always appreciate your occasional real world ramblings regarding gear.👍👍

[@enahz]

That reflection shot... Wow I went straight to your Instagram to find it. That was incredible when you printed it. I'm not a huge fan of high gloss prints but I can imagine with a high gloss big print that would match the shot and look epic. If holding a camera like that makes you do more shots like that then I can only imagine what you have on your non landscape camera/smartphone rolls

[@SourPlanet]

What I learned from this video is that you need to leave the tripod at home! Those "only cause I didn't have the 'pod" shots were gorgeous and clearly came from a different creative space. The color from that body is insane. I knows that's to be expected but man it still floors me seeing a Hasselblad do its thing.

[@amalieemmynoether992]

The seaweed shot and golden reflected light in the window are by far the best images in this video.

[@Luigi13]

Thomas Heaton, you are a very good advertiser with practicality sandwitched. If Hasselblad does get many sales after your review and possibly make some firmware upgrades you own them a possibility of owning one someday. Good review with samples, straight to the point. Cheers.

[@Indrakusuma_a]

Love your street photography shot at 7:00 mark, and seeing how this is not the first time you nailed your street shot, seems like you also have a knack for street photography :D

[@chrisklugh]

What I love about this camera is it reminds me of exactly how I have been shooting with my GH5 for some time. Imagine stabilization is really impressive! Once you have it, you can't imagine shooting without it.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

what a great camera. I'm pleased you focussed of stabilisation and more, that you stated towards the end what you didn't like, and at the price, why it shouldn't even be any issues! Well said, and much respect for the honest review.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Upbeat video, Tom. Nice! 🙂

[@paulbenson3441]

Hi Tom, great video on the new Hasselblad X2D 100mp Camera. It's the kind of camera that you dream of. Glad about you advice on mpb photographic. I'm retiring in December and I have plans to get out there with my camera more than I'm able to do at the moment. Coupled with this I'm also planning to upgrade soon and I've been looking at mpb today. I've got a fairly tight budget and I've seen plenty on the site to take into consideration. It's like being a wee boy again with his nose pressed to the sweet shop window. But I know that I need to be practical and really take into account what I actually need as to what I would like to have. Tight times are a-coming so I need to do my homework well. You've given me a good place to start Tom.

[@AleRodrigues]

Impressive results handheld Tom. cheers

[@felicityrostron9406]

Fabulous cafe Great shot through the window/reflection

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I loved the cafe shot with the gent in the morning sun… a great shot, but also showing a different side of your photography

[@markhyde1970]

Amazing. What a dream! Can I just say also, that seaweed photo was fantastic

[@Lindsay_Brunton]

Thanks a bunch Tom, I’ve just fallen in love with that camera….The calendars a topper, mind.

[@franciscarney6150]

Another great piece of work! Your opinion counts with all things photographic, as you are a consummate professional. My favorite period in my photographic experience was shooting with a medium format Pentax 67, couldn't wait to see the results. This is a very compelling offering from Hasselblad.

[@kornoth9339]

Received my calendar yesterday! Thanks Tom and as always great content.

[@whafrog]

Great honest review. Honestly, IBIS was a big reason (among many others) for me to move to Olympus. There's still nothing like it, and I've personally done a 10 second exposure. But now that even medium format has it, that's one big reason off the list. It sure would be lovely to have 15bit dynamic range and dispense with filters entirely. That said, the lack of weather sealing is a non-starter for me. Like you said, the worst conditions can have the greatest photographic potential, it's a bit baffling to me that Hasselblad would sell a product that expensive without such basic protection. I've rinsed off my EM1-mark III in a river, among many other trials I've put it through, and it keeps on clicking'. So I guess it will be a pass for me :)

[@paristo]

I really want to get hands on with this X2D to see is the IBIS good. That is as well reason for me to be on Olympus as its IBIS has to this date (2022) been best there is. It is shockingly good and surprises so many times. I have done even 30 second exposures at the winter time, in -25C weather, using a 12-40mm at 12mm and gotten perfectly sharp photos. Inside dark forest at sunset when there is no more sun in the forest, 15 seconds exposures is easy to do with 40-150 mm lens. The 1-2 second exposures handheld has become a norm, like shooting 1/60 or 1/125 in normal conditions. Sometimes I pick a older bodies, like E-M5 (the original OM-D) and while the IBIS is no where near what the latest E-M1 II etc models provide, the capability be using a 1/2" shutter speeds is crazy, and having reliable way to use 1/6" or 1/8" is very relieving feature for street photography and architecture. It is interesting as well that where E-M5 can perform 1/2" exposure times with good success rate (about 80-90%) the E-P5 that is E-P model of same E-M5, so just without EVF, can do just 1/4 or 1/6. That is the hard limit in that body. The same thing is with PEN-F, that is suppose to have much more improved IBIS considering it was after E-M1, but I can't get past 1/8 so reliable manner with it. The E-M1 II was totally another class. I still remember the first time I was doing night sky landscape photography and I took 25-30 second exposures by standing in knee high snow and just snapping with a 25 mm f/1.8 lens the starry sky and pine forest on the rock. 4 of 5 shots were pin sharp and it was shocking experience that you see stars trailing but landscape perfect. I still laugh when I think one video I made with E-M1 when I was at safari in India, we were searching tigers and after few hours driving and waiting we got report from local that in specific location there has been seen young tiger on every mid-day. And I did record video in the jeep when we drove on these rocky and very bumpy roads that forced you to wear seatbelt or otherwise you will get thrown out of the jeep (as it is one of those without roofs and doors), and I just kept my arm extended outside of jeep to record memory of that horrifying experience, and in the hotel when I was playing back that video, it was almost perfectly stable, there was nothing resembling that car would even move on uneven terrain. The only thing that did reveal IBIS working hard was the common corners wobbling relative to the jeep. It was just ridiculous that when I wanted capture the shakiness, it didn't become like that.

[@key2adventure]

Thanks for your views on this camera. I so much agree, having shot with it for one month in Nepal, I am completely happy with my buy of it. Though, as you I am seeing forward to the - probable - firmware upgrade with different aspect ratios. I very often shoot panoramic with my X1D Mark II, and I miss this possibility on the X2D. But otherwise its by far the best camera I have ever owned.

[@Mike-hd5tu]

Hi, Thomas - in all the reviews I've heard or read about this new model, not one has mentioned the lack of capability to change aspect ratios. That is a big factor for me, well done!

[@CT9wasmyhandle]

What....? That is ridiculous. There is plenty of space to work with when you have such huge pictures. Just crop in post.

[@ThePhiloctopus]

@@CT9wasmyhandle It's about composition. If I cant see my aspect ratio live I have to give more room to crop to be on the safe side. OK it's 100MP. But still. Visualising a 1:3 ratio is gonna be tricky to do live.

[@pipari21]

The seaweed shot was very cool. Nice music as well!

[@redauwg911]

that Hasselblad colour science wow

[@RadAlzyoud]

My kind of reviews. I am sick of all those judging any camera based on AF speed. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@amalieemmynoether992]

I find most reviews often treat all features equally. However, we as photographers don't do this. I'm glad Thomas has reviewed the camera from a landscaper's perspective.

[@PiotrPavlov]

Fantastic video, stunning images and a great camera. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@astrostl]

It's so useful to get takes from people that are a clear part of the target demographic. Cheers!

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

Finally!! A camera that is designed for making pictures.

[@EricGibaud]

Great approach for your review!

[@ksjung88]

Good to see you have this monster...waiting for pictures =)

[@lukasbenjamin_]

awesome video as always thomas!

[@BILLYBADBACKTOO]

Love the video, the images and the cafe. Thank you, your videos never disappoint. My wife is from that neck of the woods and have been in the cafe many times.

[@philiplyons5700]

Just watched your video it was great, I never understood why the format was square and the Hasselblad reps always said the same thing the camera was designed for wedding photographers. so they didn't have to turn the camera around the photographic labs would print square prints and the photographers then would crop the prints to 10 x 8 I couldn't get to grips with square pictures until one day I printed a square picture on an oblong piece of paper using a cardboard mat the same size as the paper with a 1 inch border at the top and 1 inch the left-hand side and 1 inch on the right hand side with a 5 inch bottom this satisfied my brains to print square on an oblong piece of paper What a great picture

[@EdBPhoto]

Another comment... just used MPB to trade some of my unused stuff for an Olympus EM10 II that was converted to Infrared. Thanks Thomas Heaton!

[@sbutler66]

Yesss, been waiting for this

[@justmeinit]

Thomas Heaton dipping his toes in streetphotography 😂 great shot

[@jambob169]

Impressive stuff! Absolutely amazed there is no histogram though! Also, I'm 100% with you on keeping video and stills separate. I have no interest in video whatsoever and end up paying for features I will never use. Internal storage and different aspect ratios should be standard.

[@danielson_9211]

WOW you the man Thomas, that reflection shot was amazing, 8mp is all you every will need, LOL yeah right, don't think even 61mp full frame can compete with this.

[@atomicwoo]

I have to say, I shoot a Lumix S1R, and I regularly hand hold exposures up to a second while hiking - if I come across a waterfall or something that justifies it. The IS systems are something else these days! Love the calender btw, I find it slightly frustrating that the photos are all better than mine though! 😂

[@erikyoung2193]

Awesome video. Love the excitement

[@clivewoolley4492]

Thomas your vid on this camera is the best I've seen so far but the one thing I would like to know that we are told to switch lens stabilisation off when using a tripod, what happens with built in camera stabilisation on a tripod.

[@davidtaylor8724]

That cafe window shot is an absolute peach

[@simonogden4522]

If I could have pressed 'LIKE' multiple times I would have done. I loved the image of the flat-cap chap!

[@joaquintrigueros]

Thanks for talking about the details! No proper weather resistance means it's a no-go for me. Canon, Fuji and Olympus shooter here, and lately Olympus infrared thanks to your videos.

[@PMCN53]

The advancement of the tech ability of digital cameras is phenomenal!! Will Patino is an Australian landscape photographer based in NZ and ONLY shoots HAND HELD!! Check out his work, it's fantastic!!

[@jw0001]

Both calendars came in today. Really nice. Thanks

[@harrishuntTV]

Amazing work! Shooting with the Hasselblad X2D would be a dream.

[@tomjohnson3728]

Good to see you on Vero!

[@BookofIan]

That seaweed shot in particular is amazing, especially for a handheld shot

[@briannicholson2971]

wow Tom , amazing, I upgraded to the Sony a7iv and it's not too shabby either

[@DennisBater]

Good job, interesting concept for the semi-review!

[@troyheffernan1261]

I worked for NASA and viewed those photos. Imagine traveling into a low light environment and trying to shoot film while your space craft is always rotating and coming home with perfect shots. Thank you NASA for being the ultimate test monkey.

[@duckfan7684]

Makes me love my Pentax K1 (for landscapes) with 5 stops of IS even more! That is until this camera drops to $2K in a few years...:)

[@rushl.workman7138]

The camera is on a waiting list at B&H photo here in the States at $8,200 body only. No lens listed as yet. I would just like to have it as a work of art to look at. I'd be afraid to take it out of the house. Nice "review" . The reflection picture is superb. It has nice color, and unintended story telling with the man walking by. A good shot for a future calendar.

[@jimbruton9482]

For those who have the finances to buy one, I would consider waiting to see if Hasselblad introduces an "X3D" or "X2D Mark 2" that would includes some of the needed features Thomas mentioned (weather sealing, firmware advances, etc.). For me, this camera seems like a prototype.

[@dcrilley9624]

Ive taken delivery of one. The iQ is astounding but no more so than from the same sensor in the GFX 100/s. There are, however, more unforgivable deficiencies. First, no live histogram of any kind. Not possible. At all. This is a £7300 body which cannot produce the most elementary capture assistant. Just gobsmacking. I have checked and I am not missing a menu option. It is not there. For landscape and mountain work, especially hand-held, I actually do not think the product is fit for purpose. When did anyone last own a camera incapable of at least a live luma HG ? This is basic functionality. Second, the capture assistants do not allow a grid and a level. You can have one or the other, not both. If you start with grid you must exit to another screen menu for a quirky spirit level. Then you must return to your grid screen. This is just cumbersome and contrived. It is not the simple, svelte shooting experience promised.

[@simonwesterlund1]

this is not a prototype, it’s the third in its generation and the pain points he mentioned is present in all versions. however this is a substantial improvement over the 50c line

[@jezjoseph]

@9:39 exceptional choice of phone manufacturer too 😉

[@mickyp3357]

I went in that cafe when I visited the northeast last year, it is delightful in a retro kind of way. But the Whitley Bay Sea front public loo's nearby are really a sight to behold!!

[@copenhagenbypede]

The cafe picture, wow it's cool

[@ericpmoss]

Every time I see it, I see the digital Mamiya M7 that I've always wanted.

[@derrickdu]

Great perspective. Surprise you did not mention the color reproduction coming from this camera.

[@macronencer]

Correction: fourteen and a half grand PLUS insurance costs, purchase of larger NAS drives to store all those massive images, etc. :) Hidden costs are a killer! Absolutely lovely-looking machine though and that stabilisation is astounding.

[@neilcole3406]

Let’s see some more street photography from you Thomas!

[@riswanc]

All the images in this video drove me to get this x2D, time to move medium format after planting it in my brain for a year after watching 😅

[@Yannick_84]

besides all the stunning features you told, the colors look so damn good!!

[@gerardocalderon6490]

absolutely loving those shots at the pier.

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@davidskinner274]

Hi, Tom. You need to watch a few Will Patino videos on hand held landscape. Cheers

[@robertfarhi3707]

Thanks a lot Thomas for this very nice review you made with the X2D. You used the new XCD55V. Were you happy with it ? What about its overall (optical, ergonomics,...) quality ? Thanks !! Robert

[@cliffkinchphotography]

The shot inside the cafe with Mr Flat Cap just walking by is just phenomenal ! Love it. ....The kit I'm afraid, as Fitz says, "She's out of my league". Love the vid tho ...

[@PeteEH]

That camera is step 2 of my future plan. Step 1 is winning the lottery...

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Thomas Heaton: shooting urban architecture!? If you ever get over your phobia about shooting around strangers, a whole new world will open up for you!

[@haroldcarlson2775]

I suppose if you are invested in the Hassy system this might be a good upgrade. To me, it’s a tough sell for someone not invested in the system when the Fuji GFX 100s is out there for a much more affordable price. Plus it has the two main features you mentioned are missing in the Hassy which are weather sealing and aspect ratio changing.

[@hlash99]

Excellent points, GFX also shoots video

[@johnsmith1474]

If price is the controlling issue everything changes for any buyer of any gear. A better approach is to think in terms of if you had access to all the best kit, what might you find most useful for your photography? It does have weather sealing, Heatons say so, "it has gaskets." When Canon says a thing is "weather sealed" all they mean is gaskets. Real weather sealing is buying insurance. Aspect ratio? You do that in post anyway.

[@martinjn2920]

@@hlash99 But the Fuji isn't a Blad, the same as the X-Pro wasn't a Leica, brand snobbery will always be there, if you really really want a Blad then sadly the GFX in any guise just simply won't do. I have had digital cameras since they were first announced, I've never ever used the video feature on any of them, I am a stills photographer, period. I appreciate that others are different and that video is important to them, but on a 100mp camera?

[@telemaq76]

nobody cares about video features on those cameras , nobody make videos with a medium format. and hasselblad is weathersealed, they just dont ask for the ip certification.

[@jessejayphotography]

@@telemaq76 if they aren’t applying for IP certification it means they are not willing to back up their claims on their “weather sealing gaskets” in the warranty. Olympus was the only manufacturer to at least give an IPX1 rating. Wish more camera brands would do more. I don’t trust any of the weather sealing claims if they are not given a tested, industry standard IPX rating.

[@philpope950]

Back to back test with your daily camera would be interesting.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Yes, the previous fellow is right, your photos are wonderful. I know you culled the best but some people's best are better than other people's best. ;o) The review was great, too. Thanks.

[@manilamartin1001]

what beautiful photos. As a hybrid shooter, I also prefer to shoot video with my video cameras and stills with my stills cameras.

[@slothsarecool]

Beautiful camera, I have a hard time getting excited about digital though personally

[@idophotography4611]

Lets goooo ❤️

[@tommynikon2283]

Thomas has been watching too many Jason Lanier videos.....where throwing your camera up in the air- and hopefully catching it, is an art form.

[@tor2919]

Dream camera. Pretty good value too for what it is - a premium camera with top notch build quality and design. Only Leica can compare with this and the M11 is far more expensive. Curious about the native ISO64 on the Hasselblad.

[@brettpatching]

Wonderful café window shot!

[@luxdalet]

Mixing your skills with this camera, the resulted images are nothing short of flawless.

[@AvanteAvenue]

Loved this video! Would enjoy more architectural (not sure how best to refer to it) photography. I know this was about the camera but enjoyed a new photography venue. Watch all your videos but this was cool and different. 🙂❤️👍

[@derekwillson2538]

Wonderful shot at the cafe window, really well spotted, I take it that this camera is a loaned one? Get some use out of it asap it clearly suited you (except for the aspect ratio) 👍great review

[@scotty4418]

eye watering money and just goes to show there will always be some aspects of its specifications that will be up for debate despite the cost. That print did look beautiful though Thomas

[@gameshoes]

I'm saving up the money to purchase one to upgrade from my X1Dii. But, it might be tempting to wait for the successor to the 50c back for the 907x... I really do want the improved autofocus sooner but, I've been using the X1Dii for two years. I can wait a bit longer.

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

I feel like you got a new editor for your videos, or you changed your style. I like it.