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.
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)
Z5 II (2024)
Sony A9 III (2023)
Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the z5 ii is the most affordable; only the z5 ii, sony a9 iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | Z5 II (2024) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £1,299 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 24.5MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | None | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 700g body only | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
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