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Tue, Nov 11, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 20, 1447 | Fajr 05:13 | DXB 
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Hasselblad's X2D 100C Earth Explorer redefines the art of photography
This meticulously crafted kit is designed for photographers who seek to explore and capture the breathtaking beauty of Earth’s most pristine natural landscapes
It was the year 1962 and NASA was shopping for an appropriate camera to equip its astronauts with for the Mercury space mission. On the recommendation of one of its prospective astronauts, the boffins at Houston tested the Hasselblad 500C, from Swedish manufacturer Hasselblad. And they loved it.
Since then, Hasselblad has etched its name in the world of photography in gold letters, forging a partnership with NASA and becoming the first mass-production camera brand in space, and on the moon. Many legendary pictures later, Hasselblad today is firmly entrenched as the world’s most sought-after luxury camera brand. While its reputation was built largely on space exploration, Hasselblad’s latest offering is the X2D 100C Earth Explorer Limited Edition – a meticulously crafted kit designed for photographers who seek to explore and capture the breathtaking beauty of Earth’s most pristine natural landscapes.
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An exclusive edition, limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, this rare and highly coveted item boasts a price that is as astronomical as the brand’s astro-photography exploits. At Dh60,408, the Hasselblad X2D 100C Earth Explorer may not be for everyone, but to the connoisseurs and afficionados of the fine art of photography, this is the tool of dreams.
The model combines the advanced and unparalleled features of the Hasselblad X2D 100C, a leading camera in the industry, with a distinctive Tundra Brown exterior — a colour inspired by the raw, untamed beauty of Sweden’s Nordic landscapes, paying homage to Hasselblad’s Scandinavian roots.
According to Hasselblad, the camera represents the dedication and spirit of exploration that drives photographers to document the world’s most remote corners. Thanks to Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), photographers can accurately capture the subtle hues of the Nordic tundra and other stunning landscapes, inviting a global audience to appreciate the subtle yet captivating beauty of the Earth’s natural colour palette.
This limited-edition kit was specifically designed to honour the spirit of adventure and to inspire those who embark on creative journeys, says Hasselblad. Included in the set is the camera body, paired with the highly acclaimed XCD 2.5/55V lens for exceptional image quality. Also included are a limited-edition camera strap, a UV filter, the X System battery charging hub, and two high-performance X System batteries — everything a photographer needs to dive straight into their next great adventure.
The camera’s minimalist, function-over-form design further accentuates its high-quality metal body, with each unit having a unique serial number from 0001 to 1000, and featuring a laser-engraved “Earth Explorer” inscription on the side of the camera body, ensuring that each kit is one of a kind. To further highlight the exclusivity of the edition, the camera’s start-up screen is also customised, displaying the “Earth Explorer” logo as soon as it’s powered on.
When it comes to performance, this limited edition is every bit a Hasselblad. The sensor, from the acclaimed X2D 100C, offers a higher pixel count and features a back-side-illuminated design, which improves noise performance. With a resolution of 11,656 x 8,742, nearly 102MP, and with each pixel measuring 3.76µm, the RAW files of this Hasselblad’s images are around 205MB in size, while a full-sized JPEG in ‘Fine’ quality ranges from 60MB to 90MB, depending on the content and ISO settings. Of course, there is a built-in 1TB SSB memory capacity to deal with such heavy files. This 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor has a 4:3 aspect ratio, producing 16-bit files with up to 15 stops of dynamic range. Meanwhile, the camera’s ISO range offers a large span, from 64 to 25,600, as befitting a medium format model.
A key feature of the new sensor is the addition of phase detection focusing, alongside traditional contrast detection. The sensor includes 294 phase detection points, covering 97 per cent of the image area, which significantly boosts autofocus speeds. When mated to an in-body image stabilisation that provides up to seven stops of stabilisation, the X2D 100C Earth Explorer is good for handheld shooting at shutter speeds as slow as one second.
The tilting screen at the back flips up from the bottom and has a two-position hinge for easier and more precise adjustments. Measuring 3.6” across, it is 24-bit colour screen with 1024 x 768 pixels for clear views of the pictures and the menu. The touch screen can also be used as a trackpad to adjust the autofocus.
With the X2D 100C Earth Explorer Limited Edition, Hasselblad is offering more than just a camera — it’s a tribute to the spirit of the brand that has stood for exploration and the beauty of nature. Perhaps the only criticism you can have of this camera is that it does not offer video – but then purists of the art of photography still scoff at the mention of moving images in the same breath, and Hasselblad is nothing if not a purist. This is a photographers’ tool that not only performs at the highest level but also connects them to the essence of the natural world they strive to capture.
Details
Hits:
• Legendary build and optics quality
• Full-frame 102MP sensor for stunning clarity and detail
Misses:
• No video
Price: Dh60,408
Rating: 4.5 stars
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