I wouldn't rely on Hiruzens hype too much. Obviously, Kishimoto didn't consider on which kind of level he would turn the Manga and also didn't consider what kind of hype he'd give to Hashirama. The focus was lying on Hiruzen, the current Hokage, during we had no knowledge about Hashiramas powers, he was no one but the first Hokage, during part 2 of the Manga was more and more focusing on Hashirama and his fairy tale strength, a strength anyone is seeking for.
And the fight of the old Hiruzen against Shodaime and Nidaime just shows,
the level on which Kishimoto hold him back them, since didn't consider how important he would be in the second part. When Orochimaru summoned them both, Hiruzen just said, that they should be aware to lose against him. A 70 year old Hiruzen was telling this to the first and second Hokage in their best state. This has nothing to do with Orochimarus Edo Tensei but just with the level of Shodaime he has got from Kishimoto.
I personally think, that Hashirama was stronger.