Hasselblad X1D II vs Olympus XZ-2

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C and the Olympus XZ-2 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2019 and September 2012. The X1D II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the XZ-2 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a medium format (X1D II) and a 1/1.7-inch (XZ-2) sensor. The Hasselblad has a resolution of 51.3 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 11.8 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Hasselblad X1D II		Olympus XZ-2
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Hasselblad X mount lenses		28-112mm f/1.8-2.5
51.3 MP, Medium Format Sensor		11.8 MP, 1/1.7" Sensor
no Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-25600		ISO 100-12800
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Viewfinder optional
3.6" LCD, 2360k dots		3.0" LCD, 920k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
2.7 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
No shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Not weather sealed
148 x 97 x 70 mm, 766 g		113 x 65 x 48 mm, 346 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Hasselblad X1D II 50C and the Olympus XZ-2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Hasselblad X1D II and the Olympus XZ-2 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus XZ-2 is considerably smaller (49 percent) than the Hasselblad X1D II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the X1D II is splash and dust resistant, while the XZ-2 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the XZ-2 has a lens built in, whereas the X1D II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The power pack in the X1D II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Hasselblad X1D II»	5.8 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	27.0 oz	..	Y	Jun 2019	5,750			Hasselblad X1D II
	Olympus XZ-2«	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.9 in	12.2 oz	340	n	Sep 2012	599	-		Olympus XZ-2
	Canon R« »	5.5 in	3.9 in	3.3 in	23.3 oz	370	Y	Sep 2018	2,299			Canon R
	Canon 5DS« »	6.0 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	32.8 oz	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699			Canon 5DS
	Canon 5DS R« »	6.0 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	32.8 oz	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699			Canon 5DS R
	Canon G16« »	4.3 in	3.0 in	1.6 in	12.6 oz	360	n	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Fujifilm GFX 50R« »	6.3 in	3.8 in	2.6 in	27.3 oz	400	Y	Sep 2018	4,499			Fujifilm GFX 50R
	Fujifilm GFX 50S« »	5.8 in	3.7 in	3.6 in	26.1 oz	400	Y	Sep 2016	6,499			Fujifilm GFX 50S
	Hasselblad X1D« »	5.9 in	3.9 in	2.8 in	25.6 oz	..	Y	Jun 2016	8,995	-		Hasselblad X1D
	Leica Q2« »	5.1 in	3.1 in	3.6 in	25.3 oz	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995			Leica Q2
	Nikon Z7« »	5.3 in	4.0 in	2.6 in	23.8 oz	330	Y	Aug 2018	3,399			Nikon Z7
	Olympus E-PL2« »	4.5 in	2.8 in	1.7 in	12.8 oz	280	n	Jan 2011	599	-		Olympus E-PL2
	Olympus E-PL3« »	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.0 oz	300	n	Jun 2011	599	-		Olympus E-PL3
	Olympus XZ-1« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	9.7 oz	320	n	Jan 2011	499	-		Olympus XZ-1
	Panasonic GH5s« »	5.5 in	3.9 in	3.4 in	23.3 oz	440	Y	Jan 2018	2,499			Panasonic GH5s
	Pentax MX-1« »	4.8 in	2.4 in	2.0 in	13.8 oz	290	n	Jan 2013	499	-		Pentax MX-1
	Sony A7R IV« »	5.1 in	3.8 in	3.1 in	23.5 oz	670	Y	Jul 2019	3,499			Sony A7R IV
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The XZ-2 was launched at a lower price than the X1D II, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Hasselblad X1D II features a medium format sensor and the Olympus XZ-2 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the XZ-2 is 97 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.79 and 4.4. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 51.3MP, the X1D II offers a higher resolution than the XZ-2 (11.8MP), but the X1D II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 1.91μm for the XZ-2) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the X1D II is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 9 months) than the XZ-2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X1D II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Hasselblad X1D II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X1D II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.4 x 31 inch or 105.1 x 78.7 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.1 x 24.8 inch or 84 x 63 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.6 x 20.7 inch or 70 x 52.5 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus XZ-2 are 19.8 x 14.9 inch or 50.4 x 37.8 cm for good quality, 15.9 x 11.9 inch or 40.3 x 30.2 cm for very good quality, and 13.2 x 9.9 inch or 33.6 x 25.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus XZ-2 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The XZ-2 indeed provides for movie recording, while the X1D II does not. The highest resolution format that the XZ-2 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X1D II has an electronic viewfinder (3690k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the XZ-2 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the XZ-2 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Hasselblad X1D II and Olympus XZ-2 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The XZ-2 has one, while the X1D II does not. While the built-in flash of the XZ-2 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the X1D II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Hasselblad X1D II and the Olympus XZ-2 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X1D II and the XZ-2 write their files to SDXC cards. The X1D II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the XZ-2 only has one slot. The X1D II supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the XZ-2 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Hasselblad X1D II 50C and Olympus XZ-2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the X1D II has a microphone port, which is missing on the XZ-2. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Hasselblad X1D II (unlike the XZ-2) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the X1D II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The X1D II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Hasselblad. In contrast, the XZ-2 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the XZ-2 from Olympus. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Hasselblad and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Hasselblad X1D II or the Olympus XZ-2 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Hasselblad X1D II 50C:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (51.3 vs 11.8MP) with a 108% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.6" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2360k vs 920k dots).
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
• More prestigious: Has the Hasselblad luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 9 months of technical progress since the XZ-2 launch.

Advantages of the Olympus XZ-2:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 2.7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the X1D II necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x65mm vs 148x97mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the X1D II).
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2012).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X1D II is the clear winner of the match-up (20 : 11 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Hasselblad X1D II and the Olympus XZ-2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X1D II and the XZ-2 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Hasselblad X1D II»	-	-	-	-	-	Jun 2019	5,750			Hasselblad X1D II
	Olympus XZ-2«	+	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	599	-		Olympus XZ-2
	Canon R« »	o	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Sep 2018	2,299			Canon R
	Canon 5DS« »	+	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699			Canon 5DS
	Canon 5DS R« »	+	83/100	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699			Canon 5DS R
	Canon G16« »	+	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Fujifilm GFX 50R« »	-	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2018	4,499			Fujifilm GFX 50R
	Fujifilm GFX 50S« »	-	85/100	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	6,499			Fujifilm GFX 50S
	Hasselblad X1D« »	o	81/100	-	-	4/5	Jun 2016	8,995	-		Hasselblad X1D
	Leica Q2« »	-	84/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995			Leica Q2
	Nikon Z7« »	+	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	3,399			Nikon Z7
	Olympus E-PL2« »	83/100	71/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2011	599	-		Olympus E-PL2
	Olympus E-PL3« »	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Jun 2011	599	-		Olympus E-PL3
	Olympus XZ-1« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2011	499	-		Olympus XZ-1
	Panasonic GH5s« »	-	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2018	2,499			Panasonic GH5s
	Pentax MX-1« »	-	74/100	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2013	499	-		Pentax MX-1
	Sony A7R IV« »	+	-	-	-	5/5	Jul 2019	3,499			Sony A7R IV
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

Specifications: Hasselblad X1D II vs Olympus XZ-2

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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