The first Chinese Hasselblad X1D clone is coming - and it's coming from DJI

Gizmodo Japan has spotted a design patent filed by DJI for a camera that looks remarkably similar to the Hasselblad X1D 50c. Of course, DJI essentially owns Hasselblad after becoming the majority stakeholder a couple of years ago, and DJI’s own Mavic 2 Pro contains a Hasselblad branded camera. But it seems now that DJI is going to be remaking Hasselblad cameras in their own image.

The design patent was filed by DJI on the January 29th, 2019 and granted on July 26th. The images contained within have a very familiar appearance. In fact, from the front, it seems virtually identical to the Hasselblad X1D 50c, save for the lack of Hasselblad branding.

Flipping the camera around to the rear side, though, DJI’s interpretation does show a couple of notable differences from the original.

Just in case you can’t spot them, there are two significant differences. The first is the addition of the joystick above the rearranged buttons. A potentially nice addition that doesn’t even exist on the back of Hasselblad’s recently announced X1D II 50c.

Those rearranged buttons should be the big clue to this camera’s other major deviation from the Hasselblad original, and that’s the fact that the LCD appears to be articulated. The buttons are clearly separated from the screen itself, and below the screen is a depression where one presumably slips a finger to pull out the LCD.

The patent mentions nothing with regard to the specifications of what a DJI branded X1D might contain. We don’t know if it’ll be closer to the original X1D 50c or more like the newer X1D II 50c. Whether or not it’ll even have “X1D” as part of its name. There’s also no indication as to how DJI might price this new camera if it becomes a reality. But it’s clear that DJI thinks ditching the Hasselblad branding is going to be of benefit in some markets.

It makes a change from Hasselblad rebranding other companies cameras, though.

If you want to see the complete patent, tap CN305275876S into the search on the Chinese Intellectual Property Office website.

Benjamin Stolle

René Schumann Manuel Stolle Chris Go 😮
Christian Moll

So it is not a clone. Just showing on which brand DJI puts the priority.
John Lyons

Honestly I’m firmly unconvinced by any camera system promoted by DJI. I bought an I1 pro, and a X5R to sling under it… Less than three years later out comes the I2 with an equivalent camera that has a different mount. If you want to pay for professional photo and video gear, then see that gear get obsoleted and unsupported within the span of an undergraduate education choose DJI.
- Owen Kaufman
  
  What alternative are you using now?
Rebecca Maier

It’s call most of these companies gave them the plans and these companies wanted cheap labor well now you have competition.
- Kryn Sporry
  
  Rebecca Maier you do know that DJI owns Hasselblad, and that DJI is a Chinese company based in China?
  Hasselblad didn’t ask for cheap labour, they got bought by cheap labour. 😊
- Rebecca Maier
  
  Im saying a good chunk of the Chinese market is based on other countries having their products made and assembled there and imported with slapping another company on it.
  
  China is growing and not shocked Hasselblad got bought out. DJI also put spy where in some of their drones at one point in the news.
  
  So much out sourcing they can develop their own products. Meaning they get enough to buy it out right or rip off the idea without needing to buy the company unless they want the established base.
Kryn Sporry

Normally I would have said that their attempt to patent the design might not work. But actually, the design is a little different from the original and does bring some new benefits in the form of an articulated screen and joystick.
Samuel Yuan

Didn’t DJI bought Hasselblad?
Liam

I’m guessing that this may well be a 35mm sensor’ed camera, able to use the existing Hasselblad XD lenses. Do note that the pics don’t show any real details inside the lens mount…