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 & 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.
Video Creators & Filmmakers — Sony FX30 (2022): The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
Who should buy what
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
Sony A9 III (2023)
Sony FX30 (2022)
Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the sony fx30 is the most affordable; only the sony a9 iii, sony fx30 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | Sony A9 III (2023) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £5,999 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 24.6MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | None | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | 8-stop IBIS | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 120fps blackout-free electronic | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 703g body only | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Sony FE (E-mount) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Compare pairs from this group