Hasselblad X1D II 50Cvs Sigma fp Lvs Sony A9 III
Hasselblad
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
From £3999
Best for Fine art, portrait & entry-level medium format
View Hasselblad X1D II 50C
Sigma
Sigma fp L (2021)
From £1999
Best for High-resolution creative & documentary shooters
View Sigma fp L
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.
High-Resolution Creative & Documentary Shooters — Sigma fp L (2021): 61MP and phase-detect AF in the world's smallest full-frame body — the fp L is the most capable iteration of Sigma's extraordinary compact.
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)
- 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
Sigma fp L (2021)
- You need the highest resolution available in the smallest possible full-frame mirrorless
- You shoot architecture, landscape, or commercial work where fine detail is absolutely critical
- You want the cinematic flexibility of the fp platform paired with maximum megapixel count
Sony A9 III (2023)
- You shoot professional sport, motorsport, or action and need zero rolling shutter distortion
- You need reliable high-speed flash sync for studio or on-location action work
- You want the absolute pinnacle of Sony's action and sports camera technology
Quick take: The sigma fp l has the highest resolution at 61mp; the sigma fp l is the most affordable; only the sony a9 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | Sigma fp L (2021) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £1,999 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 61MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 61.0MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | None | 12-bit Cinema DNG RAW, 4K/24p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect AF with face/eye detection | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | None (lens-based only) | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 18fps electronic | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 427g body only | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 112.6 × 69.9 × 45.3mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | None (optional clip-on EVF available) | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.15" fixed touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Leica L-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
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