Hasselblad X1D vs Zeiss ZX1

The Hasselblad X1D-50c and the Zeiss ZX1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2016 and September 2018. The X1D is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the ZX1 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a medium format (X1D) and a full frame (ZX1) sensor. The Hasselblad has a resolution of 51.3 megapixels, whereas the Zeiss provides 37.4 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Hasselblad X1D		Zeiss ZX1
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Hasselblad X mount lenses		35mm f/2.8
51.3 MP, Medium Format Sensor		37.4 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/25p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-25,600		ISO 80-51,200
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (6221k dots)
3.0 LCD, 920k dots		4.3 LCD, 2765k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
2.3 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
150 x 98 x 71 mm, 725 g		142 x 93 x 46 mm, 800 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Hasselblad X1D-50c and the Zeiss ZX1? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Hasselblad X1D and the Zeiss ZX1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. 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 Zeiss ZX1 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Hasselblad X1D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the X1D is splash and dust resistant, while the ZX1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the ZX1 has a lens built in, whereas the X1D is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)		Street Price
1.		Hasselblad X1D	150 mm	98 mm	71 mm	725 g	..	Y	Jun 2016	8,995
2.		Zeiss ZX1	142 mm	93 mm	46 mm	800 g	250	n	Sep 2018	5,999
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	144 mm	111 mm	75 mm	765 g	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999
4.		Canon 5DS	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699
5.		Canon 5DS R	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	148 mm	94 mm	91 mm	740 g	400	Y	Sep 2016	6,499
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	148 mm	97 mm	70 mm	766 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	5,750
8.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995
9.		Leica V-LUX 5	136 mm	97 mm	131 mm	812 g	350	n	Jul 2019	1,249
10.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450
11.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299
12.		Nikon D850	146 mm	124 mm	79 mm	1005 g	1840	Y	Jul 2017	3,299
13.		Nikon D7200	136 mm	107 mm	76 mm	765 g	1110	Y	Mar 2015	1,199
14.		Panasonic FZ1000 II	136 mm	97 mm	131 mm	810 g	350	n	Feb 2019	899
15.		Panasonic FZ1000	137 mm	99 mm	131 mm	831 g	360	n	Jun 2014	899
16.		Sony RX100 VI	102 mm	58 mm	43 mm	301 g	240	n	Jun 2018	1,199
17.		Sony A7R II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The ZX1 was launched at a lower price than the X1D, 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the 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 Zeiss ZX1 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the ZX1 is 40 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.79 and 1.0. The sensor in the X1D has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the ZX1 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 51.3MP, the X1D offers a higher resolution than the ZX1 (37.4MP), but the X1D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 4.81μm for the ZX1) due to its larger sensor. However, the ZX1 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 3 months) than the X1D, 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 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its 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 inches or 105.1 x 78.7 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.1 x 24.8 inches or 84 x 63 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.6 x 20.7 inches or 70 x 52.5 cm. The corresponding values for the Zeiss ZX1 are 37.4 x 25 inches or 95.1 x 63.4 cm for good quality, 30 x 20 inches or 76.1 x 50.7 cm for very good quality, and 25 x 16.6 inches or 63.4 x 42.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Hasselblad X1D-50c has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Zeiss ZX1 are ISO 80 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Hasselblad X1D	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	26.2	14.8	4489		102
2.		Zeiss ZX1	Full Frame	37.4	7488	4992	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Full Frame	26.0	6240	4160	1080/60p	24.4	11.9	2862		85
4.		Canon 5DS	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.7	12.4	2381		87
5.		Canon 5DS R	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.6	12.4	2308		86
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	..	..	..		..
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	none	..	..	..		..
8.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491		96
9.		Leica V-LUX 5	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
10.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821		88
11.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483		86
12.		Nikon D850	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.4	14.8	2660		100
13.		Nikon D7200	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.5	14.6	1333		87
14.		Panasonic FZ1000 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
15.		Panasonic FZ1000	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.1	11.7	517		64
16.		Sony RX100 VI	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
17.		Sony A7R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	13.9	3434		98

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the ZX1 provides a better video resolution than the X1D. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Hasselblad is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Apart from 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 ZX1 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the X1D (6221k vs 2360k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Hasselblad X1D and Zeiss ZX1 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Hasselblad X1D	2360	n	3.0	920	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.3	n	n
2.		Zeiss ZX1	6221	n	4.3	2765	fixed	Y	1/1000s	3.0	n	n
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.5	n	n
4.		Canon 5DS	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
5.		Canon 5DS R	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	optional	Y	3.2	2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	3690	n	3.6	2360	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.7	n	n
8.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	20.0	n	Y
9.		Leica V-LUX 5	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
10.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
11.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2	922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
12.		Nikon D850	optical	Y	3.2	2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	n
13.		Nikon D7200	optical	Y	3.2	1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
14.		Panasonic FZ1000 II	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
15.		Panasonic FZ1000	2359	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX100 VI	2359	n	3.0	1229	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony A7R II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y

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 ZX1 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 has 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.

The X1D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the ZX1 uses an internal SSD.

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 Zeiss ZX1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Hasselblad X1D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
2.		Zeiss ZX1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	3.1	Y	Y	Y
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Canon 5DS	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 5DS R	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	-	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
9.		Leica V-LUX 5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Leica SL	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
11.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Nikon D850	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	Y
13.		Nikon D7200	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Panasonic FZ1000 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Panasonic FZ1000	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony RX100 VI	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony A7R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the X1D has a microphone port, which is missing on the ZX1. 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 (unlike the ZX1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The ZX1 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Zeiss. In contrast, the X1D has been discontinued (but 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 Zeiss websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Hasselblad X1D and the Zeiss ZX1? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Hasselblad X1D-50c:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (51.3 vs 37.4MP) with a 15% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• 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.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1000s) to freeze action.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.

Advantages of the Zeiss ZX1:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/25p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (6221k vs 2360k dots).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (4.3" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2765k vs 920k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the X1D necessitates an extra lens.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X1D emerges as the winner of the contest (13 : 11 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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 Zeiss ZX1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X1D or the ZX1 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Hasselblad X1D	..	o	81/100	..	4/5	Jun 2016	8,995
2.		Zeiss ZX1	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2018	5,999
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	4/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999
4.		Canon 5DS	..	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699
5.		Canon 5DS R	5/5	+	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	..	..	85/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	6,499
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2019	5,750
8.		Leica Q2	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995
9.		Leica V-LUX 5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2019	1,249
10.		Leica SL	4/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450
11.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299
12.		Nikon D850	4.5/5	+ +	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2017	3,299
13.		Nikon D7200	4/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2015	1,199
14.		Panasonic FZ1000 II	..	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	899
15.		Panasonic FZ1000	4/5	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	899
16.		Sony RX100 VI	4.5/5	+ +	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2018	1,199
17.		Sony A7R II	5/5	+ +	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Hasselblad X1D vs Zeiss ZX1

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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