Nikon D3500 vs Hasselblad X1D

The Nikon D3500 and the Hasselblad X1D-50c are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2018 and June 2016. The D3500 is a DSLR, while the X1D is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D3500) and a medium format (X1D) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Hasselblad provides 51.3 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Nikon D3500		Hasselblad X1D
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses		Hasselblad X mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor		51.3 MP – Medium Format sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/25p Video
ISO 100-25,600		ISO 100-25,600
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second		2.3 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
124 x 97 x 70 mm, 415 g		150 x 98 x 71 mm, 725 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3500 and the Hasselblad X1D-50c? 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 Nikon D3500 and the Hasselblad X1D 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 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 Hasselblad X1D is notably larger (22 percent) than the Nikon D3500. Moreover, the X1D is substantially heavier (75 percent) than the D3500. It is noteworthy in this context that the X1D is splash and dust-proof, while the D3500 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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.

Concerning battery life, the D3500 gets 1550 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL14a battery, while the X1D can take .. images on a single charge of its Hasselblad H-3054752 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D3500	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	415 g	1550	n	Aug 2018	429	ebay.com
2.		Hasselblad X1D	150 mm	98 mm	71 mm	725 g	..	Y	Jun 2016	8,995	ebay.com
3.		Canon M100	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-A7	119 mm	68 mm	41 mm	320 g	440	n	Sep 2019	499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X-E3	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899	ebay.com
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	148 mm	97 mm	70 mm	766 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	5,750	ebay.com
8.		Leica M11	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	640 g	700	Y	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299	amazon.com
11.		Nikon D5600	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	465 g	970	n	Nov 2016	699	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D3400	124 mm	98 mm	76 mm	445 g	1200	n	Aug 2016	499	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5500	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	470 g	820	n	Jan 2015	899	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D3300	124 mm	98 mm	76 mm	430 g	700	n	Jan 2014	499	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D5300	125 mm	98 mm	76 mm	480 g	600	n	Oct 2013	799	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D3200	125 mm	96 mm	77 mm	505 g	540	n	Apr 2012	599	ebay.com
17.		Pentax 645Z	156 mm	117 mm	123 mm	1550 g	650	Y	Apr 2014	8,499	ebay.com
Note: 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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The D3500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 95 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. 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. 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3500 features an APS-C sensor and the Hasselblad X1D a medium format sensor. The sensor area in the X1D is 293 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 0.79. The sensor in the D3500 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the X1D offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 51.3MP, the X1D offers a higher resolution than the D3500 (24MP), but the X1D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 3.91μm for the D3500) due to its larger sensor. However, the D3500 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 2 months) than the X1D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. 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 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 Nikon D3500 are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The Hasselblad X1D-50c offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D3500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.0	13.4	1851	83
2.		Hasselblad X1D	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	26.2	14.8	4489	102
3.		Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
4.		Fujifilm X-A7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.1	13.6	1955	84
5.		Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	24.0	13.3	1800	82
6.		Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.9	13.3	1764	82
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	25.7	14.5	3234	99
8.		Leica M11	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	none	26.3	14.8	3376	100
9.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821	88
10.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483	86
11.		Nikon D5600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1306	84
12.		Nikon D3400	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	13.9	1192	86
13.		Nikon D5500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1438	84
14.		Nikon D3300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.8	1385	82
15.		Nikon D5300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.0	13.9	1338	83
16.		Nikon D3200	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/30p	24.1	13.2	1131	81
17.		Pentax 645Z	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/60i	26.0	14.7	4505	101
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the D3500 provides a higher frame rate than the X1D. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Hasselblad is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X1D has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D3500 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D3500 and Hasselblad X1D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D3500	optical	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
2.		Hasselblad X1D	2360	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.3/s	n	n
3.		Canon M100	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1/s	Y	n
4.		Fujifilm X-A7	none	n	3.5 / 2760	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
5.		Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
6.		Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	n
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	3690	n	3.6 / 2360	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.7/s	n	n
8.		Leica M11	optical	n	3.0 / 2333	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
9.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
10.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2 / 922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
11.		Nikon D5600	optical	n	3.2 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon D3400	optical	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D5500	optical	n	3.2 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D3300	optical	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon D5300	optical	n	3.2 / 1037	swivel	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
16.		Nikon D3200	optical	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
17.		Pentax 645Z	optical	Y	3.2 / 1037	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D3500 has one, while the X1D does not. While the built-in flash of the D3500 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D3500 and the X1D write their files to SDXC cards. The X1D features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D3500 only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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 Nikon D3500 and Hasselblad X1D-50c 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 Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D3500	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
2.		Hasselblad X1D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon M100	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-A7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	-	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Leica M11	Y	- / -	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	Y
9.		Leica SL	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
10.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Nikon D5600	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Nikon D3400	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
13.		Nikon D5500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Nikon D3300	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D5300	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Nikon D3200	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Pentax 645Z	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the X1D offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D3500 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Hasselblad X1D (unlike the D3500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D3500 and the X1D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X1D was replaced by the Hasselblad X1D II, while the D3500 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the D3500 and X1D can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3500 Manual (free pdf) or the online Hasselblad X1D Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D3500 better than the Hasselblad X1D or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Nikon D3500:

• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/25p).
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 2.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (124x97mm vs 150x98mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 310g or 43 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (95 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 2 months of technical progress since the X1D launch.

Arguments in favor of the Hasselblad X1D-50c:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (51.3 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 43%.
• 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.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• 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.
• More prestigious: Has the Hasselblad luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 2016).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X1D is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 10 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 Nikon D3500 and the Hasselblad X1D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens 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 remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D3500 or the X1D perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews 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], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D3500	4/5	..	4/5	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	429	ebay.com
2.		Hasselblad X1D	..	o	..	81/100	..	4/5	Jun 2016	8,995	ebay.com
3.		Canon M100	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-A7	3/5	..	3.5/5	81/100	4/5	3.5/5	Sep 2019	499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-A5	..	+	4.1/5	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X-E3	4.5/5	+	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899	ebay.com
7.		Hasselblad X1D II	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2019	5,750	ebay.com
8.		Leica M11	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL	4/5	..	4/5	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299	amazon.com
11.		Nikon D5600	4/5	..	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D3400	4/5	+	4/5	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5500	5/5	+	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D3300	3/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D5300	4/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	799	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D3200	5/5	+ +	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599	ebay.com
17.		Pentax 645Z	5/5	..	3.5/5	..	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2014	8,499	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, 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 comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

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