- New leaked images apparently showing a hazel blade x2d ii top plate
- The camera is likely to be an iterative x2D 100c upgrade
- It may be the camera’s hazel blade registered at FCC in December 2024
If I could have a camera, money no object, Hasselblad X2D 100C would probably be. However, I can soon add a ‘II’ to that moniker after leaks of my dream camera’s upcoming successor.
The people of Photo Rumors shared a post containing a hazel blade FCC registration for product ‘HB722’, dated December 4, 2024, followed by a photo that seems to show a top plate of an X2D II camera, which makes us believe that the upcoming product could be an X2D -and it will soon come.
The current model is a 100MP medium format camera with fantastic minimalist design and stripped-back user experience. I loved to review the camera when it was launched in 2022 but an upgrade could deliver meaningful improvements
Yes, the X2D 100C flows my boat, but it doesn’t make it the perfect camera.
The next model, apparently called an X2D II, suggests an iterative update – I would expect a major upgrade to be called an X3D instead. However, these are pure speculation and there are no leaked specifications to go, yet.
I would be all for a new Hasselblad camera, be it a modest or significant upgrade. Here are the top 5 upgrades I hope for.
To get up on speed
I have no complaints with x2D 100cs image quality – its 100MP set images are filled with details and divine natural color. A higher resolution sensor next time would get headlines, but I don’t think it’s necessary or likely.
I also didn’t want to change much of anything in terms of design; The grip provides a firm team, whether recording in vertical or horizontal format, which is a nice balance with most lenses, while the minimalist control layout and menus give you quick access to the settings you use most, do away with the rest.
If image quality and form factor are fine as they are, what would I change? My desired upgrades are largely centered on focusing and speed.
First of all, I would love a precise autofocus mode that is specifically autofocus with eye detection. The X2D 100C has Hasselblad’s best autofocus system ever, but it’s still the year behind the best mirror-free cameras from Sony, Canon, Nikon and more.
Autofocus precision is key, especially considering the huge 100MP files that further highlight poor user technology / camera restrictions. Being armed with reliable eye detection of would make photoshoots far more relaxed.
In addition to precise autofocus, I also want autofocus to be significantly faster and reliable. Not that I would plan to use the X2D 100C for sports and wildlife photography, but faster focusing on portraits would be appreciated.
While we are subject to speed, the X2D 100C’s continuous Burst shooting is limited to only 3.3fps. Understanding the huge file sizes, but Fujifilm’s rival GFX100 II goes more than twice that speed. Again, I don’t shoot action with a medium format camera, but I would like the opportunity there for faster image speeds, especially for portrait sessions.
Faster Burst shooting could also operate a usable high-resolution shoot mode-the type you get with smaller format cameras for quadrupled resolution. Imagine a 400MP file from a hazel blade!
Landscape photography is an obvious strength of a 100MP media format camera, where better weather seals and improved battery life could be really useful in a future X2D II I was not overly impressed with the X2D 100C on these two fronts.
Video recording is completely absent in x2d 100c. Again, of course, I wouldn’t think about using such a camera for video work, but when I think about how amazing Hasselblad’s color science is for still images, the view of 8K video with such beautiful color is exciting.
To summarize: a faster processor, precise and faster autofocus, refined handling and video recording. These asks make up a modest and feasible upgrade. Several lenses are also always welcome.
Have you experienced Hasselblad X2D 100C? If so, what improvements would you like to see? Tell me that in the comments below.
