Hasselblad X1D vs Sony A7R IV: A Deep Dive into Two Pro Mirrorless Titans

When it comes to professional mirrorless cameras, the Hasselblad X1D and Sony A7R IV stand out as compelling options, each with its own philosophy, strengths, and quirks. Having tested both extensively across studios, wilderness, and city streets, I’m excited to break down how these two cameras compare through the lens of performance, features, and, importantly, real-world usability.

Whether you’re a medium format enthusiast considering the X1D or a pixel peeper eyeing the A7R IV’s mind-boggling resolution, I’ll walk you through the details that matter - skin tone rendition, autofocus, weather sealing, and beyond - with no marketing fluff, just hands-on experience and technical insights.

Putting Size and Ergonomics on the Table

Size and handling hugely impact everyday shooting comfort, especially in prolonged sessions or travel. The Hasselblad X1D embraces a rangefinder-style mirrorless design with minimal bulk and elegant minimalism. The Sony A7R IV, meanwhile, takes a more traditional DSLR-style body, beefy enough to fill my palms and tense grip control.

The X1D’s dimensions (150x98x71mm) and 725g weight feel surprisingly compact given its medium format sensor. It slips easily into a medium-sized camera bag or large jacket pocket, perfect if discretion or portability is important. On the flip side, the Sony A7R IV weighs in at 665g but with a chunkier, deeper grip (129x96x78mm). This offers significantly better balance with heavy telephoto lenses, making it more suited for handheld shooting or sports photography where stability under burst mode is key.

Handling-wise, the X1D’s rangefinder ergonomics prioritize simplicity and a more relaxed shooting approach - perfect for slower-paced portrait or landscape work. The Sony’s robust grip and extensive button layout give quick access to key settings ideal for fast-changing environments like wildlife or street photography.

Design and Controls: Minimalist vs Feature-Rich

Moving beyond sheer size, how do these cameras feel when you interact with them?

Sony clearly puts usability front and center with an intricate top-deck layout, including a dedicated ISO dial, customizable buttons, and a shutter-speed dial spanning an impressive 1/8000s max speed - perfect for freezing high-speed sports action.

Hasselblad opts for refined simplicity. The X1D’s controls are fewer, prioritizing a clean aesthetic. Exposure compensation and drive modes are still there but tucked away in menus rather than dials. The shutter tops out at 1/2000s, which could prove limiting for fast outdoor with bright light. Both lack built-in flashes, but Sony’s broader flash mode support with its external flashes offers more flexibility.

Bottom line: If tactile control and speed are priorities, Sony leads; if you value streamlined, distraction-free shooting, the X1D’s design shines.

Medium Format vs Full Frame: The Sensor Battle

Arguably the heart of any camera is the sensor, and here’s where the X1D and A7R IV truly diverge.

The Hasselblad X1D houses a true medium format CMOS sensor measuring a whopping 44x33mm (sensor area 1452 mm²), roughly 1.7 times larger than the A7R IV’s full-frame 35.8x23.8mm (852 mm²). This expanded sensor size offers superb depth and distinctly different image characteristics - from shallower depth of field to increased dynamic range potential.

However, the Sony compensates partially with higher resolution: 61 megapixels (9504x6336) versus the X1D’s 51 megapixels (8272x6200). Although the X1D provides a 1:1 aspect ratio option, Sony’s versatility with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 makes it a more flexible choice for various genres.

From a technical standpoint, Hasselblad’s sensor has a color depth score of 26.2 bits and a truly impressive dynamic range of 14.8 EV, equaling Sony’s 14.8 EV. Low-light ISO performance leans in favor of Hasselblad with a DxO low-light ISO score of 4489 compared to Sony’s 3344, although Sony extends ISO boost up to 102,800 for astrophotographers needing extreme sensitivity.

In practical terms for landscape and portrait photographers, the medium format sensor excels at rendering gradations in skies and skin, offering a more three-dimensional feel, while Sony’s pixel-packed sensor is king for detail hunters and those requiring quick action capture.

Viewing and Live Feedback: Electronic Viewfinders and Screens

Being able to preview the scene accurately is key, and both cameras deliver excellent electronic viewfinders (EVFs) - but with notable differences.

Sony packs a 5.76 million-dot OLED EVF with 100% coverage, magnification of 0.78x, and a fast refresh rate. This viewfinder is arguably the best in its class, providing razor-sharp clarity and precise framing during fast action.

Hasselblad’s X1D features a 2.36 million-dot EVF offering 100% coverage as well. The resolution lags behind Sony’s but remains competitive for composing portraits and landscapes with fine control. It uses a fixed 3-inch touchscreen at 920k resolution, which is less vibrant than Sony’s 3-inch tilting 1.44 million-dot touchscreen.

Sony’s screen tilt mechanism greatly aids low or high-angle shooting, street photography, and videography, while Hasselblad’s fixed screen keeps the body sleek but limits flexibility.

In interface terms, Sony’s touchscreen supports intuitive touch focus and menu navigation, whereas Hasselblad’s simpler touch system occasionally requires deeper menu diving.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed Demystified

Autofocus is often a dealbreaker depending on shooting style. Sony’s Alpha A7R IV astonishes with 567 AF points covering a wide area. This hybrid phase/contrast detection system includes excellent face and eye detection, and uniquely offers animal eye AF support - an invaluable func for wildlife photographers.

Hasselblad’s X1D autofocus relies on contrast detection with touch-sensitive focus points, including face detection, but it lacks phase detection for speed boosts, and notably no animal eye autofocus. It features focus modes including single, continuous, and tracking but only achieves a leisurely 2.3fps burst rate compared to Sony’s 10fps.

In practice, Sony’s AF system is the sportier animal - locking quickly and accurately on moving subjects from birds in flight to chaotic sports. Hasselblad’s AF prioritizes precision over speed, making it ideal for portrait and landscape shooters who value deliberate composition.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Management

Burst speed matters for action photography, so here’s a telling comparison:

• Hasselblad X1D: max 2.3 fps continuous shooting
• Sony A7R IV: max 10 fps continuous shooting

Sony’s faster frame rate and generally larger buffer mean photographers won’t miss decisive moments in wildlife or sports. The X1D’s necessarily slower shooting cadence fits more contemplative work, such as studio portraits or fine art landscapes.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Both cameras offer some degree of environmental sealing but neither are fully waterproof or drastically ruggedized to survive crushing pressure, freezing, or shockproof use.

That said, Hasselblad explicitly certifies environmental sealing, a reassuring detail for outdoor medium format users. Sony too has sealing at the body level, supporting use in demanding outdoor environments but with typical consumer caution.

If you photograph in wet or dusty conditions frequently, both cameras require care but can hold their own with good protective measures.

Lens Ecosystem: Quality vs Quantity

Lens choice can make or break the system.

Hasselblad’s X-mount is niche with only 4 native lenses available, all high-quality medium format optics tuned for the sensor but limited in variety and focal length range. They are pricey but excel optically.

Sony’s E-mount lens ecosystem dwarfs Hasselblad’s with over 120 native lenses spanning ultra-wide to super-telephoto, macro, and specialty lenses from Sony and third parties like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss.

This sheer breadth makes the A7R IV a versatile option whether shooting macro, wildlife, landscapes, or video, benefiting from immense glass flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Practical usability often boils down to battery life and storage.

The Sony A7R IV uses the robust NP-FZ100 battery, rated around 670 shots per charge, excellent for all-day shooting with standby power savings.

Details on Hasselblad’s battery life aren’t as widely published but reputedly it provides fewer shots per charge, likely reflecting the medium format sensor’s power demands.

Both models feature dual SD card slots supporting UHS-II to enable high-speed writes and ample storage security, essential when shooting large RAW files in burst or video.

Connectivity and Extras

Sony leads with Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI, microphone and headphone ports, enabling seamless integration with modern workflows and video rigs. Hasselblad offers USB 3.0 and built-in GPS, which is rare and useful for travel and landscape photographers who want geotagged images.

Both cameras support Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control, but Sony’s more mature wireless ecosystem and smartphone app infrastructure deliver smoother workflow integration.

Video Capabilities: Medium Format vs 4K

For videographers, Sony fans rejoice: the A7R IV offers 4K UHD recording at 30p up to 100 Mbps in the XAVC S codec with headphone and microphone jacks - suitable for professional vloggers and hybrid shooters.

The Hasselblad X1D, by contrast, caps out at 1080p/25p, limiting videographers to basic HD footage. No 4K or high frame rate options, no in-body image stabilization, and no high-speed syncing capabilities restrict serious video use.

Interchangeable lens options on the Sony also cover cine primes and zooms, expanding creative video potential.

Comprehensive Image Quality Across Genres

Let’s ground these technical comparisons with real-world shooting observations complemented by sample imagery.

Hasselblad X1D front Hasselblad X1D screen back Sony A7R IV front Sony A7R IV screen back

• Portraits: The X1D’s medium format sensor produces extraordinarily smooth transitions in skin tones with natural bokeh. The wider sensor allows shallow depth of field magic for creamy backgrounds unobtainable with full-frame cameras. Sony’s A7R IV impresses with razor-sharp eye detection autofocus, indispensable in capturing fleeting expressions with perfection.

• Landscapes: Both cameras demonstrate excellent dynamic range (14.8 EV). The X1D pulls smoother gradations and less noise in shadows, capturing subtle tonalities often lost in smaller sensors. Sony’s higher resolution means vast image detail, essential for large prints or intricate textures.

• Wildlife and Sports: Sony’s 10fps burst, lightning AF, and long telephoto lenses tip the scales best here. Hasselblad cannot keep pace in speed or tracking but produces stunning single frames for slow-paced wildlife portraits or still subject captures.

• Street Photography: Sony’s smaller, less conspicuous design combined with fast AF and tilt screen make it a better street shooter. The X1D’s rangefinder style is lean but the slower AF and larger file sizes lessen its candid agility.

• Macro Photography: Sony’s lens variety and 5-axis image stabilization give it an edge for handheld macro. Hasselblad’s stabilization absence and limited close-focusing lenses restrict its macro potential.

• Night and Astro: Sony’s extended ISO range and stabilization outperform, providing cleaner night shots and astrophotography options. Hasselblad produces cleaner images at base ISO but lacks boost and stabilization benefits.

• Video: Sony is the clear winner, with 4K, stabilization, mic/headphone inputs, and advanced codec options. Hasselblad’s 1080p video is a bonus but not a serious feature.

• Travel: For those who prize versatility and battery life, Sony’s lighter weight, tilt screen, and lens ecosystem make it a go-to for compact yet powerful shooting rigs. Hasselblad’s medium format qualities shine in carefully planned shoots but may be cumbersome in travel’s unpredictable pace.

• Professional Use: Studio, commercial, and fine art photographers likely appreciate the Hasselblad’s medium format uniqueness, exceptional color depth, and integrate well with workflows valuing image refinement over speed. Sony’s file versatility, speed, and lens lineup cater well to dynamic pro work requiring adaptability and video hybridization.

Putting It All in Perspective: Overall Performance Scores

Balanced scoring based on objective lab testing and field results provides an at-a-glance summary.

• Hasselblad X1D: DxOmark overall score 102
• Sony A7R IV: DxOmark overall score 99

The X1D's slight edge emphasizes its image quality supremacy especially in color depth and noise handling, while Sony counters with sheer versatility and speed.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

Here are distilled scores by photographic genre reflecting where each camera thrives:

• Portrait: X1D edges out in skin tone and bokeh
• Landscape: Tie for dynamic range; Sony excels in resolution detail
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony dominant for autofocus and speed
• Street: Sony benefits from compactness and quick AF
• Macro: Sony’s IS and lens choice lead
• Night/Astro: Sony’s boosted ISO and stabilization superior
• Video: Sony clearly ahead

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After an extensive hands-on evaluation, here’s how I would recommend these cameras:

Choose Hasselblad X1D if:

• You prioritize ultimate image quality, especially for portraiture or landscape photography
• You want medium format aesthetics and shallow depth of field not easily achieved on full-frame
• You shoot primarily in controlled or slower-paced environments (studio, fine art, commercial)
• Budget is less constrained; you value image fidelity over speed and versatility

Choose Sony A7R IV if:

• You require a high-resolution, fast, and versatile full-frame camera for wildlife, sports, landscapes, and street
• You need robust autofocus including animal eye AF and very fast burst shooting
• Video capability beyond HD is critical (4K, stabilization, professional audio)
• You value a huge lens ecosystem and better battery life at roughly half the price of the X1D

Both cameras represent state-of-the-art mirrorless technology from their respective realms. The Hasselblad X1D is a distinct choice championing medium format image quality wrapped in a minimal and elegant form. Sony’s A7R IV is a beast of speed, resolution, and versatility, tackling everything from brooding mountain vistas to urban hustle.

Ultimately, your “best” camera hinges on your style, subjects, and budget. I hope this deep dive illuminates that path with clarity and confidence.

Happy shooting!