Fine Art, Portrait & Entry-Level Medium Format — Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019): The most accessible Hasselblad XCD body — 50MP medium-format quality for those who cannot stretch to the X2D 100C.
Professional Video & Hybrid Shooting — Lumix S5 (2020): The S5 is an outstanding video camera that also takes excellent stills. 10-bit 4K/60p, dual native ISO and 6.5-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body is a compelling package. The contrast-detect AF is its main weakness vs Sony and Canon — but for controlled shooting it doesn't hold it back.
Sports & Action Professionals — Sony A9 III (2023): A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
Who should buy what
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
Lumix S5 (2020)
Sony A9 III (2023)
Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the lumix s5 is the most affordable; only the lumix s5, sony a9 iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | Lumix S5 (2020) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £1,699 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 24.2MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | None | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 714g (body, battery, card) | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Leica L-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
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