For decades, Hasselblad has occupied a unique position in photography — the brand that captured humanity’s first steps on the moon, the Swedish craftsmen who built cameras so precise they became NASA’s tool of choice. But there’s always been a catch with Hasselblad’s modern offerings: breathtaking image quality paired with frustratingly sluggish performance. The X2D II 100C changes that equation entirely.
What’s New?
This second-generation medium format mirrorless camera doesn’t just refine what came before but addresses the fundamental limitations that kept previous X-series bodies tethered to the studio. Where the original X2D 100C delivered stunning 100-megapixel files but struggled with moving subjects, the X2D II introduces continuous autofocus for the first time in Hasselblad’s mirrorless lineup. Combined with subject detection algorithms that can track humans, vehicles, cats, and dogs, plus LiDAR-assisted focusing, this camera finally delivers the responsiveness that medium format shooters have been waiting for.
Swedish Heritage Meets Silicon Valley Innovation
The influence of DJI’s 2017 majority stake in Hasselblad becomes unmistakable here. Aside from the LiDAR assistance, you also get haptic feedback that vibrates when focus locks or the camera levels perfectly and sophisticated AI algorithms to assist with autofocusing.
The company’s journey from Fritz Victor Hasselblad’s 1841 trading company to space-age imaging pioneer reads like a master class in adaptation. After building reconnaissance cameras for Sweden’s military during WWII, Hasselblad introduced its legendary 500C in 1957 — a design so enduring it stayed in production until 2006. The X2D II continues this tradition of longevity through thoughtful engineering, but adds the kind of real-time processing power that would have seemed impossible in the analog era.
HDR as the New Standard
Rather than treating HDR as a specific mode you have to look through a menu to find, Hasselblad makes it the default capture method. The camera shoots HDR HEIF files by default, with the option for Ultra HDR JPEGs that maintain compatibility across devices.
The 3.6-inch OLED display hits 1,400 nits of peak brightness, transforming image review from a rough approximation to something approaching print quality. Combined with the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution HDR processing, your images will translate seamlessly from camera to screen to final output.
The Physics of Stability
Ten stops of in-body stabilization delivers eight times the stabilization performance of the original X2D, making handheld long exposures more practical. For a camera built around a 100-megapixel sensor where even microscopic camera shake becomes visible, this level of stabilization is a game changer.
The body itself weighs 7.5% less than its predecessor at 730g (~25.75oz), balancing substantial in-hand feel and all-day portability. The refined grip texture and strategic button placement — including a new 5D joystick that addresses major user complaints about the original — show Hasselblad listening to their customers.
Medium Format, Modern Workflow
The inclusion of 1TB internal SSD storage remains almost unprecedented in the mirrorless world. But paired with the new Phocus Mobile 2 app, this becomes part of a genuinely modern workflow. You can wake the camera remotely, transfer images, and perform full RAW editing on an iPhone or iPad.
The 425-zone phase-detection autofocus system, backed by AI subject recognition, finally allows medium format to compete with smaller sensors when it comes to capturing decisive moments. At 3fps burst rate, it’s not going to replace a sports camera, but for the vast majority of professional work, it’s more than adequate.
Spec Sheet
Sensor: 100MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS
Autofocus: 425-point PDAF with LiDAR assistance, AF-C continuous mode
Display: 3.6″ tilting OLED touchscreen (1,400 nits peak)
Viewfinder: 5.76M-dot OLED EVF
Storage: 1TB internal SSD + CFexpress Type B slot
Weight: 25.75oz (body only)
Video: N/A
Pricing & Availability
At $7,399 for the body, the X2D II 100C costs $800 less than its predecessor at launch — unusual territory for any camera manufacturer, let alone one dealing in premium medium format. The accompanying XCD 35-100mm f/2.8-4 E lens adds $4,599, creating a kit that, while expensive, is Hasselblad’s most competitive offering in years.
Recap
Hasselblad X2D II 100c Camera
Hasselblad’s 2nd-gen X2D camera transforms the legendary Swedish camera maker’s medium format offering from a studio-bound beauty into a field-ready powerhouse by finally adding continuous autofocus, AI-powered subject tracking, and 10-stop stabilization — all while costing $800 less than its predecessor.
