The X1D is official and comes at a price that will cause some raised eyebrows in Wetzlar: At £5,990 and with lenses starting at just over £2,000, this is a very competitive offering and is actually cheap by medium-format standards. At these prices I can see many full-frame photographers being tempted to the larger format. [Note: It is now clear that Hasselblad has quoted net prices. The body will cost £7,188 including VAT in Britain and the lenses will also be 20% more expensive]
Here is the full release from Hasselblad:
Hasselblad announces groundbreaking X1D
The world’s first compact mirrorless digital medium format camera
Hasselblad is proud to introduce the groundbreaking X1D – weighing less than half that of a conventional digital medium format camera, the mirrorless 50MP camera is a game changer in the world of photography.
Inspired by the brand’s iconic design heritage, the camera is ergonomic and compact, offering a handling experience unlike any other. Handmade in Sweden, the X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance.
Like the iconic V System, the X1D seamlessly combines portability with excellent optical quality for which the brand is renowned. Hasselblad has ingeniously introduced mirrorless technology to digital medium format for the first time ever, creating a precision performance camera that can sit in the palm of your hand. The 50MP CMOS sensor captures the finest details with true natural colours.
Commenting on the announcement Perry Oosting, Hasselblad CEO noted: “The X1D marks a pivotal point in Hasselblad’s rich 75-year history. This camera makes medium format photography available to a new generation of Hasselblad users, while pushing the existing limits of photography to new heights.”
A completely new family of dedicated autofocus lenses has been developed to support optical quality and portability, offering a wide range of shutter speeds and full flash synchronisation up to 1/2000th second.
Weighing just 725g and including HD video, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS, the X1D is a trusted partner and ideal travel companion. The robust exterior is dust and weather proof, providing durability to take with you wherever you go.
The X1D has been created with passionate photographers in mind, opening up Hasselblad to a new generation of creatives. Ideal for those who want to create the highest quality medium format images with a straightforward and easy to use camera that can fit in the palm of your hand.
The Hasselblad X1D is priced at 7,900 EUR / 8,995 USD / 5,990 GBP
Prices stated are exclusive of VAT (VAT incluside in UK: £7,188)
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This to be applauded. Finally they are getting on with innovation and business. I think it is a game changer and the size of the 45mm looks fine for what is supports.
As a Mamiya 7 user I am curious. However a lot water to go under the bridge yet and we’ll need a full production version to Se if they have got it 90% right.
I agree. I have never been tempted to MF, mainly because of the size. However, I will certainly be interested to try one of these if I can prise one from the hands of Hasselblad.
It has a nice shape Mike, I wonder whether that makes it any more comfortable in the hand than the Leics SL?
The lenses look like they are going to be sizeable… a 45mm on medium format represents a substantial wide angle, indicating that a normal lens will be very chunky…
Why haven’t we seen one yet?
I think I will "Leave" it.
Although I haven’t seen on, of course, it does look very similar–but more rounded–than the SL. It looks prettier, I have to admit. I thought the lenses were smaller than I imagined. The 45mm is in reality a 32mm full frame while the 90mm will be about 63mm (both rather strange focal lengths). Compared with, say, Leica’s S 70mm they look rather neat and tidy. I can imagine a lot of people being attracted by the prospect of MF in a body no larger than FF. In fact, they have done for MF what Sony did for FF with the A7–a small, thin body with a big sensor. It will be interesting to see how Leica reacts. Perhaps they should have gone the whole hog with the SL which would probably have taken an MF sensor.
You leaving? Never.
The pessimist in me says that we will remain in chains, locked into the 19th century Germanic Zollverein as we are…
The optimist is looking forward to joining the other 180ish nation states, and get our democracy back. We can then set about attempting to turn that into a Swiss style local direct democracy… though ‘shire’ based rather than ‘canton’ based.
The Rev. King might be jumping the gun… But ‘nearly’ free at last is a start!
BTW Mike, I just did a large format photography class, using BIG Leicas… aka Sinar, and I loved it, even though it is the complete antithesis of Mr. Barnack’s ideas.
‘The body will cost £1,788 including VAT in Britain’!!
Line 4 of text needs corrected …
Thanks for letting me know, Colin, I hadn’t noticed. That really would have been a bargain!