Hasselblad X1D II 50Cvs A7S II
Hasselblad
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
Starting from £3999 new
Best for Fine art, portrait & entry-level medium format
View Hasselblad X1D II 50C
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
GearScore™ Verdict — 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.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Who should buy what
Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019)
- Photographers entering medium format for the first time without full Hasselblad pricing
- Portrait and landscape photographers who want 50MP medium-format files
- X2D 100C buyers on a budget who can live with 50MP over 100MP
- Professionals who want Hasselblad colour and build at a more accessible price
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The hasselblad x1d ii 50c has the highest resolution at 50mp; the a7s ii is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Hasselblad X1D II 50C (2019) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,999 | £799 |
| Sensor | 50MP medium-format CMOS (43.8 × 32.9mm) | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 50.0MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | None | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 2.7fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 766g body only | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.0 × 97.0 × 73.8mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.87" OLED EVF, 3.69M dots | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.6" touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Hasselblad XCD | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Hasselblad X1D II 50C | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Architecture | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Hasselblad X1D II 50C
Camera family history