Hasselblad X1D II 50C vs Samsung NX300: A Thorough Comparative Evaluation for Discerning Photographers

When photographers seek a new mirrorless camera, the diversity of available options spans from compact entry-level APS-C systems to high-end medium format solutions. This review meticulously compares two distinctly positioned cameras - the Hasselblad X1D II 50C and the Samsung NX300 - to elucidate their core technological paradigms, real-world user value, and suitability across photographic disciplines. While seemingly disparate in class and vintage, they represent critical benchmarks in medium format and early 2010s APS-C mirrorless development respectively.

Drawing upon extensive hands-on testing experience, including controlled lab measurements and practical shooting trials, this comparison aims to assist enthusiasts and professionals contemplating cameras for portraiture, landscape, wildlife, video, and beyond. We emphasize measured image quality, autofocus reliability, ergonomic execution, and workflow compatibility to facilitate an informed purchase decision.

Physicality and Ergonomics: Rangefinder Designs but Different Philosophies

Both cameras adopt a rangefinder-style mirrorless body design, favoring a compact, boxy silhouette over traditional DSLR bulk, yet the execution markedly diverges.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: At 150×98×71 mm and approximately 725 grams, the X1D II embodies a substantial but refined medium format camera. Its magnesium alloy frame paired with environmental sealing underscores a build prioritizing professional durability and weather resistance. The shutter button and control dials are precisely placed but require deliberate operation; the relatively slow 2.7 fps continuous shooting compared to contemporary bodies signals its design focus on image quality over speed.

• Samsung NX300: Measuring 122×64×41 mm and weighing 331 grams, the NX300 is noticeably smaller and lighter, affirming its entry-level mirrorless intentions. The plastic construction with polycarbonate elements does not include weather sealing, indicating more cautious outdoor use. While ergonomically nimble for street or travel shooters, the control layout is less tactile for intensive operation, although it features a tilting 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen - a novelty at its release time - offering flexible framing and menu navigation.

The X1D II’s control array is minimal but robust, with no illuminated buttons and omissions like a top LCD panel. Its rear touchscreen aids interface navigation but lacks selfie or fully articulating screen capabilities. By contrast, the NX300 trades durability for more extensive exposure bracketing, faster shutter and continuous shooting speeds (9 fps), and an arguably more intuitive touchscreen overlay.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Metrics: Medium Format vs APS-C Sensor Foundations

The sensor represents the most discernible technical and qualitative differentiation between these cameras.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: Features a 44×33 mm CMOS medium format sensor, with an effective area of 1452 mm² and a resolution of 51 megapixels (8272×6200 pixels). It supports 1:1 and 4:3 aspect ratios, with a base ISO starting at 100. DxOMark gives this sensor a very high overall score of 102, a color depth of 26.2 bits, a dynamic range nearing 14.8 stops, and low-light ISO rating around 4489.

• Samsung NX300: Utilizes a 23.5×15.7 mm APS-C CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels (5472×3648 pixels) and a 3:2 native aspect ratio. The sensor area is about 369 mm², significantly smaller. Its DxOMark scoring is 76 overall, with color depth at 23.6 bits, dynamic range at 12.7 stops, and a low-light ISO figure of 942.

Technical interpretation: The larger sensor of the X1D II captures more light per pixel, leading to superior noise handling, increased tonal gradation, and improved dynamic range crucial for highlight and shadow recovery in demanding scenes.

Practical implications: Photographers seeking ultra-high resolution for large prints, or substantial cropping latitude, will find the X1D II’s sensor unmatched. The NX300, while capable, is limited by older sensor tech and has less raw detail retention, particularly noticeable in shadow recovery and high ISO performance.

Autofocus Systems: Contrast vs Hybrid Detection with Face Recognition Variability

The autofocus (AF) system is another critical point of comparison, impacting photographic genres reliant on speed and precision.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: Employs a contrast-detection only AF system with 117 focus points. While it features touch-to-focus and offers AF modes including single, continuous, tracking, selective, and center AF, it lacks phase-detection elements, face, and animal eye detection.

• Samsung NX300: Deploys a hybrid AF system combining contrast and on-sensor phase detection, boasting 247 focus points. Additionally, it supports continuous, single, tracking AF modes along with face detection, enhancing reliability for people-oriented or fast subjects.

Hands-on experience shows the X1D II’s AF is impeccably accurate but slower and less responsive, consistent with medium format mirrorless cameras tailored to deliberate shooting. The NX300 can lock focus swiftly, offering a considerable advantage for action, street, or event photography, but may be less accurate in low contrast or tricky lighting.

User Interface, Displays, and Viewfinders: Resolution and Usability Divide

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: Equipped with a 3.6-inch fixed touchscreen LCD at 2.36 million dots and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 3.69 million dots with 100% coverage and 0.87x magnification. The EVF offers excellent clarity for image review and manual focusing.

• Samsung NX300: Features a 3.3-inch tilting Active Matrix OLED touchscreen with only 768k resolution and no built-in viewfinder, necessitating composition on the rear screen.

Usage implications: The X1D II is much better suited for critical manual focusing or outdoor bright light use due to its superior viewfinder and screen quality. The NX300’s tilting OLED offers compositional flexibility but is handicapped outdoors and in fast moving scenarios without a viewfinder.

Lens Ecosystem and Focal Length Considerations

Lens availability influences versatility and eventual photographic reach.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: Supports the proprietary Hasselblad X lens mount with 13 native lenses engineered for medium format coverage and optical excellence, including primes and zooms ranging approximately 21mm to 135mm equivalent. This limited but specialized set is matched to the larger sensor, maximizing image quality but offers fewer options than fuller ecosystems.

• Samsung NX300: Compatible with a 32-lens lineup for the Samsung NX mount, comprising budget primes, zooms, and specialist optics. The 1.5x crop factor makes these lenses practical for general photography but with less availability of ultra-wide or very fast aperture glass compared to modern systems.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• X1D II 50C: The large sensor and high resolution enable exquisite skin tone rendition with minimal noise and very smooth tonal transitions. Although it lacks face or eye AF, its precise contrast AF and manual focus operation afford detailed frame control. The shallow depth of field characteristics produce impressive bokeh with Hasselblad’s renowned rendering.

• NX300: Face detection AF assists in portraits, but sensor limitations reduce dynamic range affecting highlight roll-off on skin tones. Bokeh quality is adequate with fast primes but doesn’t rival the medium format’s shallower depth and smoothness.

Landscape Photography

• X1D II 50C: Excels in dynamic range (14.8 stops) crucial for high-contrast scenes. With weather sealing and robust build, it is ideal for outdoor, inclement weather use. The 51MP sensor captures fine details exceptionally well.

• NX300: Suffers from a narrower dynamic range (12.7 stops) and lacks environmental resistance. Its 20MP sensor produces usable files but the lack of weather sealing and fewer detail retentive sensor bits limit professional landscape results.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• X1D II 50C: The hefty camera and slower 2.7 fps shooting speed constrain action capture. Contrast-only AF and no subject tracking make fast autofocus challenging - unsuited for wildlife or sport.

• NX300: 9 fps burst and hybrid autofocus enable significantly better performance for capturing fast subjects. Its lighter weight and faster shutter speeds allow more agility, although limited ISO performance restricts low-light sports shooting.

Street Photography

• NX300: Advantageous size, weight, and quiet mechanical shutter favor street shooters seeking discretion and rapid capture. Lack of viewfinder may be a detriment outdoors.

• X1D II 50C: Large size and catch attention, reducing candidness. Slow continuous shooting and non-optimized AF focus it away from street usability.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers dedicated macro enhancements such as focus stacking or internal stabilization. The X1D II’s resolution and sensor size offer superior base detail while the NX300’s more accessible lens choices may permit affordable close-ups. Stabilization is unavailable on both.

Night and Astro Photography

The X1D II’s superior high ISO performance (native up to ISO 25600 with usable results until ~4489 ISO equivalent rating) and vast dynamic range give a distinct advantage for night sky or astrophotography. The NX300’s ISO 25600 ceiling exists but with much more noise (ISO rating 942).

Video Capabilities

• X1D II 50C: Limitations include 2720×1530 (approx 2.7K) at 30p in H.264, no 4K, and no in-body stabilization. It’s geared primarily toward stills but includes mic and headphone ports for pro audio monitoring.

• NX300: Supports 1080p full HD at various frame rates with MPEG-4/H.264 compression, but lacks mic/headphone jacks. No 4K or advanced video features.

Hasselblad X1D II 50C front Hasselblad X1D II 50C screen back Samsung NX300 screen back

Build Robustness, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Only the X1D II offers environmental sealing, reassuring professional photographers needing reliability in challenging outdoor environments. The NX300, while physically well engineered for its era, provides no such protections, limiting ruggedness expectations.

Battery Life and Storage

• X1D II 50C: Dual SD card slots improve backup security but battery life data is unlisted, though typically medium format mirrorless cameras require more frequent battery swaps due to sensor size and processing needs.

• NX300: Single SD slot with advertised 330 shots per charge, typical for entry-level mirrorless systems. USB 2.0 connection is dated and slower than modern counterparts.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Wireless is built-in on both bodies, but only the NX300 offers NFC for direct pairing. Hasselblad’s USB 3.0 connection supports fast data transfer for large RAW files, benefiting streamlined desktop workflow.

Value Assessment and Price-to-Performance

At launch, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C retailed around $5750, representing investment-grade pricing reflecting its sensor format, build, and niche professional target. The Samsung NX300, priced approximately $750, targets entry-level consumers with a balanced feature set for casual to enthusiast photography.

While the X1D II delivers world-class imaging quality, slow autofocus, and limited video constrain it against dynamic shooting needs. The NX300 offers a highly competitive speed and autofocus system for its era but can’t challenge contemporary sensor standards.

Recommendations Based on User Needs

Conclusion

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C and Samsung NX300 occupy fundamentally different strata of mirrorless camera offerings separated by sensor size, technology era, and target users. The X1D II delivers unparalleled medium format image quality, suited for professionals and enthusiasts demanding exceptional files and reliable build, albeit with compromises in speed and versatility.

Conversely, the Samsung NX300 is an agile, speedy APS-C camera designed for amateurs and advanced hobbyists requiring a balanced introduction to interchangeable-lens photography, with decent image quality but noticeably outdated sensor capabilities.

Prospective buyers should align their selections with prioritized photographic applications, weighing the trade-offs between ultimate image fidelity and operational agility. This exhaustive comparative analysis provides critical clarity for those navigating these choices.

This detailed appraisal is grounded in extensive field testing, sensor benchmarking, and interface evaluation consistent with industry standards and professional practice.