Hasselblad X1D vs Panasonic G9

The Hasselblad X1D-50c and the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2016 and November 2017. Both the X1D and the G9 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a medium format (X1D) and a Four Thirds (G9) sensor. The Hasselblad has a resolution of 51.3 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Hasselblad X1D		Panasonic G9
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Hasselblad X mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
51.3 MP, Medium Format Sensor		20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/25p Video		4K/60p Video
ISO 100-25600		ISO 200-25600
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots)
3.0" LCD, 920k dots		3.0" LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
2.3 shutter flaps per second		20 shutter flaps per second
No shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
150 x 98 x 71 mm, 725 g		137 x 97 x 92 mm, 658 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Hasselblad X1D-50c and the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9? 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 and the Panasonic G9 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions 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 Panasonic G9 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Hasselblad X1D. Moreover, the G9 is markedly lighter (9 percent) than the X1D. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the G9 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient 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»	5.9 in	3.9 in	2.8 in	25.6 oz	..	Y	Jun 2016	8,995	-		Hasselblad X1D
	Panasonic G9«	5.4 in	3.8 in	3.6 in	23.2 oz	400	Y	Nov 2017	1,699			Panasonic G9
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	5.7 in	4.4 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	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
	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 II« »	5.8 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	27.0 oz	..	Y	Jun 2019	5,750			Hasselblad X1D II
	Leica SL« »	5.8 in	4.1 in	1.5 in	29.9 oz	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450			Leica SL
	Nikon D7500« »	5.4 in	4.1 in	2.9 in	25.4 oz	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D850« »	5.7 in	4.9 in	3.1 in	35.5 oz	1840	Y	Jul 2017	3,299			Nikon D850
	Nikon D7200« »	5.4 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	1110	Y	Mar 2015	1,199	-		Nikon D7200
	Olympus E-M1 II« »	5.3 in	3.6 in	2.6 in	20.2 oz	440	Y	Sep 2016	1,999			Olympus E-M1 II
	Panasonic GH5« »	5.5 in	3.9 in	3.4 in	25.6 oz	410	Y	Jan 2017	1,999			Panasonic GH5
	Panasonic G85« »	5.0 in	3.5 in	2.9 in	17.8 oz	330	Y	Sep 2016	899	-		Panasonic G85
	Panasonic GX8« »	5.2 in	3.1 in	2.5 in	17.2 oz	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199	-		Panasonic GX8
	Panasonic GH4« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	3.3 in	19.8 oz	500	Y	Feb 2014	1,499	-		Panasonic GH4
	Pentax 645Z« »	6.1 in	4.6 in	4.8 in	54.7 oz	650	Y	Apr 2014	8,499			Pentax 645Z
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G9 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 81 percent) than the X1D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Hasselblad X1D features a medium format sensor and the Panasonic G9 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the G9 is 84 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.79 and 2.0. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

With 51.3MP, the X1D offers a higher resolution than the G9 (20.2MP), but the X1D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 3.34μm for the G9) due to its larger sensor. However, the G9 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 4 months) than the X1D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Hasselblad X1D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X1D 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 Panasonic G9 are 25.9 x 19.4 inch or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inch or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inch or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the X1D, the G9 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80.6MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Hasselblad X1D-50c has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the G9 provides a better video resolution than the X1D. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Hasselblad is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the G9 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the X1D (3680k vs 2360k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Hasselblad X1D and Panasonic G9 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One feature that differentiates the G9 and the X1D is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The G9 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the X1D has to rely on optical image stabilization in OIS-equipped lenses to achieve the same effect.

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 G9 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 and the Panasonic G9 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 and the G9 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. The G9 supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the X1D can use UHS-I 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-50c and Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

The G9 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the X1D has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X1D was succeeded by the Hasselblad X1D II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Hasselblad and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Hasselblad X1D and the Panasonic G9? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Hasselblad X1D-50c:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (51.3 vs 20.2MP) with a 60% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• More prestigious: Has the Hasselblad luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2016).

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 1080/25p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3680k vs 2360k dots).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 vs 2.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (81 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 4 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G9 is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. 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 and the Panasonic G9 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X1D or the G9. 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 hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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»	o	81/100	-	-	4/5	Jun 2016	8,995	-		Hasselblad X1D
	Panasonic G9«	+ +	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Nov 2017	1,699			Panasonic G9
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	+	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	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
	Fujifilm GFX 50S« »	-	85/100	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	6,499			Fujifilm GFX 50S
	Hasselblad X1D II« »	-	-	-	-	-	Jun 2019	5,750			Hasselblad X1D II
	Leica SL« »	-	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450			Leica SL
	Nikon D7500« »	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D850« »	+ +	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Jul 2017	3,299			Nikon D850
	Nikon D7200« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2015	1,199	-		Nikon D7200
	Olympus E-M1 II« »	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	1,999			Olympus E-M1 II
	Panasonic GH5« »	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Jan 2017	1,999			Panasonic GH5
	Panasonic G85« »	+ +	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	899	-		Panasonic G85
	Panasonic GX8« »	+	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199	-		Panasonic GX8
	Panasonic GH4« »	+ +	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	1,499	-		Panasonic GH4
	Pentax 645Z« »	-	-	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Apr 2014	8,499			Pentax 645Z
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Hasselblad X1D vs Panasonic G9

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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