• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Medium format 1,441.0mm2
  • 51.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Hasselblad X1D

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 5.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.8 fps vs 2.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Hasselblad X1D advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    725g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    51.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    4080 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • Read our Nikon D4S Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Hasselblad X1D
Canon 1DX
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display

Compare Hasselblad X1D vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Hasselblad X1D
Nikon D4
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display

Compare Hasselblad X1D vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Hasselblad X1D
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Hasselblad X1D vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Fujifilm GFX 50R

Nikon D4S
Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $4599
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D4S vs Fujifilm GFX 50R

Hasselblad X1D
Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Headphone jack
  • $4599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Hasselblad X1D vs Fujifilm GFX 50R

Compared to Hasselblad X1D II

Nikon D4S
Hasselblad X1D II
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D4S vs Hasselblad X1D II

Hasselblad X1D
Hasselblad X1D II
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Newer

Compare Hasselblad X1D vs Hasselblad X1D II

Compare Other Cameras?