Hasselblad in 2025: Legendary Company Launches its Best Digital Camera Ever - PetaPixel
Hasselblad in 2025: fewer launches, bigger impact
After a prolific 2024, Hasselblad slowed down on quantity but elevated quality in 2025, debuting what may be its finest digital camera yet and a strong new zoom lens.
Key takeaways
- X2D II 100C: a landmark medium-format camera with end-to-end HDR, LiDAR autofocus, and 10-stop IBIS at 7,399 dollars
- First Hasselblad with continuous autofocus, plus major usability upgrades and top-tier image quality
- New lens: XCD 35-100mm f/2.8-4 E (28-76mm equivalent) delivers a versatile, premium standard zoom
- Notable extras: Hasselblad Award to Sophie Ristelhueber and Masters 2026 entries open
- Overall grade for 2025: A
X2D II 100C: Hasselblad’s best digital camera to date
Hasselblad’s lone camera release in 2025, the X2D II 100C, fulfills the brand’s modern medium-format promise. It retains a 102 MP sensor but adds the industry’s first medium-format end-to-end HDR workflow, delivering greater highlight latitude and breathtaking dynamic range when viewed on HDR-capable devices.
Performance and features you can feel
- 10-stop in-body image stabilization for razor-sharp results
- LiDAR-powered autofocus and the first-ever continuous AF on a Hasselblad
- Lighter body, brighter display, faster AF
- Large 3.6-inch tilting touchscreen
- Five-axis haptic joystick and a new custom button for quicker control
Image quality and user experience
The X2D II 100C pairs class-leading image quality with a refined, enjoyable shooting experience. It is especially compelling for landscape and fine art photographers who value fidelity and workflow consistency. While its autofocus still trails Fujifilm’s latest GFX bodies, it is a meaningful step forward for Hasselblad.
Limitations
- Not as fast as competing GFX cameras
- No video recording support
For many still shooters, especially in landscape work, these trade-offs are minor compared to the camera’s strengths.
A favorite of 2025
Though not voted the overall camera of the year (that nod went to the Canon R6 III), the X2D II 100C stood out as a personal favorite to use and is enjoying strong commercial momentum.
New lens: XCD 35-100mm f/2.8-4 E
Hasselblad’s single lens release in 2025 adds a versatile standard zoom to the XCD lineup, effectively complementing the existing XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E.
- Focal range: 35-100mm (28-76mm full-frame equivalent)
- Aperture: f/2.8-4
- Excellent optical performance and a natural match for the X2D II 100C
- Drawbacks: large 86mm filter thread and a premium 4,599 dollar price
Beyond gear: awards and competitions
- Sophie Ristelhueber received the 2025 Hasselblad Award and 200,000 dollars
- Entries opened for the Hasselblad Masters 2026 competition, offering significant prizes and camera kits
Verdict
For a company that often releases little in a given year, Hasselblad’s 2025 mattered. One camera and one lens may sound quiet, but both rank among the brand’s strongest products in years. The X2D II 100C, in particular, pushes medium-format photography forward with HDR, LiDAR AF, and a best-in-class user experience.
Grade: A