In this paper, we propose a hermetically sealed X-ray microchannel plate imager as a more effective and stable alternative to the traditional open-structured imager. With two microstrip photocathodes of 100 nm Au and 100 nm CsI, respectively, the proposed imager has a measured exposure time of 65 ps when applied with a 200 ps width gate pulse. The static response test shows that the image intensity of the CsI microstrip photocathode is 3.4 times that of the Au microstrip photocathode when illuminated by a non-monochromatic portable X-ray source with high energy photons. The sealed imager not only enhances the sensitivity and stability of the framing camera, but also has the potential to reduce crosstalks and artifacts, thus further improves the precision of measurement in practice. © 2021