Hasselblad X1D II 50Cvs Nikon Z8vs Nikon Z9

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Hasselblad Hasselblad X1D II 50C Hasselblad Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) From £3999 Best for Fine art, portrait & entry-level medium format View Hasselblad X1D II 50C
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Nikon Nikon Z8 Nikon Nikon Z8 (2023) From £3999 Best for Sports, wildlife & hybrid professionals View Nikon Z8
VS
Nikon Nikon Z9 Nikon Nikon Z9 (2021) From £5499 Best for Professional sports & wildlife View Nikon Z9

Which should you buy?

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.

Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.

Professional Sports & Wildlife — Nikon Z9 (2021): The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.

↓ Full specifications below

Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)

  • You want Hasselblad's legendary colour rendition in a modern mirrorless body
  • You shoot portrait, landscape, or fine art photography at a professional level
  • You value the camera as an object — aesthetics and build quality matter as much as specs

Nikon Z8 (2023)

  • You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
  • You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
  • You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9

Nikon Z9 (2021)

  • You shoot professionally and need a camera body that handles everything without compromise
  • You're a sports, wildlife, or commercial photographer who demands the absolute best
  • You want a camera body that will remain state-of-the-art for the next decade

Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the hasselblad x1d ii 50c is the most affordable; only the nikon z8, nikon z9 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)Nikon Z8 (2023)Nikon Z9 (2021)
Price £3,999 £3,999 £5,499
Sensor 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS
Resolution 50.0MP 45.7MP 45.7MP
Video None 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect
Stabilisation None 6-stop IBIS 6-stop IBIS
Burst Rate 2.7fps 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG
Battery Life 370 shots (CIPA) 330 shots (CIPA) 740 shots (CIPA)
Weight 766g body only 910g body only 1340g body only
Dimensions 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm
Weather Sealed No Yes Yes
Viewfinder 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps
Screen 3.6" touchscreen 3.2" tilting touchscreen 3.2" tilting touchscreen
Mount Hasselblad XCD Nikon Z-mount Nikon Z-mount
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD
Connectivity USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN
⚡ Compare specs side by side Hasselblad X1D II 50C prices → Nikon Z8 prices → Nikon Z9 prices →

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