The best Hasselblad camera in 2023: for professional and advanced photographers

best Hasselblad camera
(Image credit: James Artaius)

The best Hasselblad cameras can deliver peerless image quality with that impossible-to-replicate medium format "look". Their large sensors offer the depth and dynamic range of similarly sized film, outstripping the full frame in terms of sheer quality. 

For years, these cameras had a niche popularity, with a reputation for being impressive on the inside, but horribly bulky and impossibly expensive. However, the best Hasselblad cameras no longer fit this description.

Hasselblad has been around since 1841, but it didn't become a brand name until the owner's son Victor Hasselblad started its camera division, fast forward 181 years later, and Hasselblad is possible one of the best-known and recognized camera brands in existence. It is best known for sending its best film cameras of the time to space with the Apollo mission, when humans first landed on the moon – all of those images were taken with modified Hasselblad cameras.

You might also need the best Hasselblad lenses

Since then Hasselblad has been synonymous with delivering exceptional image quality, renowned Swedish design, and superior build quality, being hand built in the company's factory in Gothenburg.

The best Hasselblad cameras aren't cheap now, and likely never will be, but they usually have a longer lifespan than consumer or even professional mirrorless systems. Therefore, this list might seem small, but this is the full Hasselblad line-up, and if you're looking for the best Hasselblad camera you can get in terms of digital image quality, they're all featured below. 

Check out our guide on upgrading from full-frame to medium format if you're still unsure what steps to take first, and whether you should change your camera system.

Why choose the best Hasselblad camera?

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The reason that medium format cameras are considered some of the best cameras for professionals is that the size of their sensors and the image quality they offer is entirely unparalleled, surpassing even that of full frame cameras like the Sony A7R IV, Nikon Z9, and Canon EOS R5 that are squeezing more pixels than ever onto a 35mm sensor. Medium format is simply on another level.

It is worth noting that medium format sensors come in two main sizes. Phase One XF IQ4 uses the bigger full frame medium format size, while Hasselblad's H-series cameras correspond closely with the old 645 film format. There's also a smaller size, midway between this and full-frame sensors, which is used in the Hasselblad XD series of compact digital mirrorless medium format cameras.

So, let's look at the best Hasselblad cameras you can buy right now!

Best Hasselblad camera in 2023

(Image credit: James Artaius)
The most stylish camera ever now produces the best images, too

Specifications

Sensor: Medium format
Megapixels: 100MP
Lens mount: Hasselblad X
LCD: 3.6" touchscreen, 2.36m dots tilting
Viewfinder: Electronic, 5.76 million dots
Max continuous shooting speed: 3.3fps
Max video resolution: None
User level: Professional

Reasons to buy

+
Best color science on the market
+
7 stops of image stabilization
+
1TB of internal storage

Reasons to avoid

-
No video functionality

If you're looking for ultimate photographic quality, look no further – the Hasselblad X2D is the definitive still imaging machine. Thanks to the stunning 100MP image sensor and Hasselblad's exceptional Natural Colour Solution technology, simply put we have never seen images as stunning come straight out of any other camera – photos are gallery ready, directly out of the X2D. 

Employing hybrid phase detect autofocus, Hasselblad's latest mirrorless marvel has the fast and robust AF system it deserves – and it also boasts a stunning seven stops of in-body image stabilization, which is unprecedented for a medium format camera, making this a truly hand-holdable device that can shoot whatever, wherever. In addition to a 5.76 million dot viewfinder, which enables you to see every ounce of detail in your 100MP shots, the camera supports CFexpress B cards but also boasts 1TB of internal storage. No more scrambling around for cards!

The asterisk is that the X2D does not shoot video in any way, shape of form. Honestly, though, nobody buys a medium format camera to vlog with, so this should be the farthest thing from your mind. Take one look at the image files it produces and you will be in love. 

Read more: Hasselblad X2D 100C review

(Image credit: Hasselblad)
A brilliant modular camera that's cleverly thought out, and affordable

Specifications

Sensor: Medium format
Megapixels: 50MP
Lens mount: Hasselblad X
LCD: 3.2-inch touchscreen, 2.36 million dots
Viewfinder: None (optional extra)
Max continuous shooting speed: 1fps
Max video resolution: 2.7K at 30p
User level: Professional

Reasons to buy

+
Low cost for a modular system
+
CFV II 50C fits the old 500CM

Reasons to avoid

-
Screen hard to see in bright light
-
AF is slow and noisy

Hasselblad 907X 50C might share the same 50MP resolution and range of XCD lenses as the X1D, but it enjoys a clever modular design. Along with the CFV II 50C digital back which handles the image capture, there's a new 907X body that's so thin it looks like a lens adapter. This is the physical and electronic bridge between the digital back and the lens, but what's really impressive is that the CFV II 50C can breathe new life into your old Hasselblad 500cm (if you're lucky enough to have one) as it'll take the place of the film back.

There's a large 3.2-inch tilt-angle touchscreen at the rear, but no EVF, while the AF performance can bit a touch sluggish. The quality of the finish though, including the lovely black leatherette trim and chrome edging, is classic Hasselblad, while the results are gorgeous. As we said in our review, the Hasselblad 907X 50C is a slow and awkward tool, but it's one designed for considered, careful use, and provides a gateway into a modular system for a fraction of the cost you might expect. 

(To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Hasselblad launched the 907X Anniversary Edition Set. This special edition is an absolutely gorgeous version of the 907X in Lunar Grey, rather than chrome, packaged alongside a matching 30mm f/3.5 lens. It's an absolutely gorgeous set, and it also retails at about $15,000, so you have to really want it! Only 800 of them have been made, so act fast.)

Read more: Hasselblad 907X 50C review 

(Image credit: Sebastian Oakley / Digital Camera World)

3. Hasselblad H6D-100c

100 million pixels in a familiar form factor, here is the H6D-100c

Specifications

Sensor: Medium format
Megapixels: 100MP
Lens mount: Hasselblad
LCD: 3-inch touchscreen, 920k dots
Viewfinder: Optical, interchangeable
Max continuous shooting speed: 1.5fps
Max video resolution: 4K
User level: Professional

Reasons to buy

+
Professional modular system
+
Superb quality
+
Intuitive grip/battery design

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Mainly for studio/tripod use

Canon and Nikon have been at the top of the DSLR market for years, but in the world of medium format, it’s Phase One vs Hasselblad. The H6D-100c is the latest in Hasselblad’s long-running modular medium format system. While Hasselblad can’t match the Phase One XT Camera System for megapixels without resorting to multi-shot models like the H6D-400c, it does have the cachet and customer loyalty of the Hasselblad brand. The company has been extremely good at combining its new tech with its much-loved legacy products.

This is the best Hasselblad camera on the market today for full-blown medium format shooting that achieves 100MP.

(Image credit: Hasselblad)

4. Hasselblad H6D-400c

For those with megapixel mania, this is the ultimate camera

Specifications

Sensor: Medium format
Megapixels: 400MP (from 100MP CMOS sensor)
Lens mount: Hasselblad H system
LCD: 3.0", 920K dots
Viewfinder: Eye-level or waist-level viewfinder options
Max continuous shooting speed: N/A
Max video resolution: 4K at 25fps
User level: Professional

Reasons to buy

+
Highest resolution images on the market
+
Modular 'system camera' design

Reasons to avoid

-
Eye-watering price tag
-
Huge file sizes!

With a price tag running into tens of thousands (around $48K / £40K at the time of writing), this obviously isn’t going to be your entry point into medium format photography. We're including this as an example of the current pinnacle of the medium format world (and there’s always the option of renting it out), and an example of what medium format photography used to cost until the latest camera releases.

The H6D-400c features a 100MP CMOS sensor, with its maximum effective resolution of 400MP being achieved via a six-shot image capture. The process involves the sensor being moved one pixel at a time for the first four shots to achieve real color data – the capture of red, green, and blue color information – before being returned to its starting point. It's designed for tethered shooting with the aid of a Mac or PC.

(Image credit: Hasselblad)

5. Hasselblad H6X

A camera body that can do a lot

Specifications

Sensor: Compatible with Medium format
Megapixels: n/a
Lens mount: Hasselblad
LCD: n/a
Viewfinder: Optical, interchangeable
Max continuous shooting speed: n/a
Max video resolution: n/a
User level: Intermediate / Professional

Reasons to buy

+
Professional modular system
+
Superb quality
+
Intuitive grip/battery design

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Mainly for studio/tripod use

Versatility comes to the fore again from Hasselblad by offering a camera body that is fully compatible with all its H System lenses, including the HCD 4,8/24, HCD 4/28, and the HCD 4,0-5,6/35-90 lenses. It can also use a film magazine and offers H5X functionality with 3rd party digital backs. Although aimed primarily at current H1, H2, H2F, H4X, and H5X users, the H6X can naturally act as a backup for H5D and H6D users.

The H6X is designed to provide the same extensive functionality as older H1 and H2 cameras, providing a number of functions such as True Focus, HCD lens compatibility. A HVD 90x viewfinder optimized for 36 × 48mm format or HV 90x-II viewfinder optimized for film and 40.2 × 53.7mm format, a High power AF illumination. At the same time, the number of profiles has been increased from 4 to, along with more programmable button options.

The Hasselblad H6X is not a camera in its own right, but a camera body that can be utilized with the big world of medium format photography from Hasselblad's own range or from third parties like Phase One's digital backs or older rivals.

How we test cameras

We test mirrorless and DSLR medium format cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. 

Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. 

We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides. Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World.

Read more:
Best medium format cameras
The highest-resolution cameras available today
Upgrading to medium format from full-frame here was you need to know

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specialising in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound and many more for various advertising campaigns, books and pre/post-event highlights.


He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected in to BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 


He is familiar with and shows great interest in medium and large format photography with products by Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa and Sinar and has used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI and everything in between. His work covers the genres of Equestrian, Landscape, Abstract or Nature and combines nearly two decades of experience to offer exclusive limited-edition prints to the international stage from his film & digital photography.