Hasselblad XCD 20-35E review: the ultra-wide you've been waiting for

The Hasselblad XCD 20-35E delivers ultra-wide shooting with center sharpness on par with a prime

Hasselblad XCD 20-35E lens, moodily lit with subdued lighting, on a wooden surface
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Hasselblad XCD 20-35E is the widest and fastest lens in the X System lineup, offering an equivalent 16mm f/3.2 to 27mm f/4.5 that delivers stunning results for genres like astrophotography, landscapes and architecture. The center sharpness is truly remarkable, being on par with Hasselblad's exceptional prime lenses, though you do need to stop down to f/8 for peak performance in the corners. If you shoot wide, this is absolutely a lens that you need in your arsenal.

Pros

  • +

    16mm ultra-wide

  • +

    Outstandingly center-sharp

  • +

    1/2000sec sync speed

  • +

    Glorious handling

Cons

  • -

    Some distortion at each end

  • -

    Peak corner sharpness at f/11

  • -

    No manual focus clutch

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The Hasselblad XCD 20-35E is a crucial new lens in the X System lineup. First of all, it's the brand's first ultra-wide lens, offering an equivalent 16-27mm focal range – which also makes it the widest XCD lens, taking the crown from the XCD 21mm prime.

Secondly, this is the first 'Exclusive' lens in the range – hence the "E" in Hasselblad XCD 20-35E. This new flagship series promises to deliver the same optical excellence as the outstanding XCD primes. 

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Mount optionsHasselblad X
35mm focal length16-27mm
Image stabilizationNo
Weather sealingNo
FocusAuto, manual
Control ringYes
Lens construction16 elements in 12 groups
Minimum aperturef/32
Minimum focus distance0.32m
Filter size77mm
Dimensions (len x dia)117 x 81mm
Weight805g
Image

No longer widely available, the first-generation Hasselblad XCD 21mm f/4 was previously the widest X System offering (a 16.6mm equivalent). It's obviously a fixed focal length, its aperture clocks in a little slower, and it also lacks the control ring of newer XCD lenses.

Image

One of the newest lenses in the lineup, the Hasselblad XCD 25V sits somwhere in the middle of the 20-35E's focal range but offers a faster f/2.5 aperture, making it a little less versatile but a little more appropriate for low light work such as astrophotography. 

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.