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.
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
All-Round Photography & Video — A7 III (2018): Still one of the best all-round cameras money can buy — particularly strong used. The A7 III proved that full-frame doesn't have to mean compromises, and nothing at this price point has meaningfully beaten it.
Who should buy what
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
Z5 II (2024)
A7 III (2018)
Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the z5 ii is the most affordable; only the z5 ii, a7 iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | Z5 II (2024) | A7 III (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £1,299 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 24.5MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | None | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~710 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 700g body only | 565g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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