Hasselblad X1D II 50C vs. Sony A6300: A Deep Dive Into Two Mirrorless Powerhouses

Choosing your next camera can be overwhelming, especially when comparing two strong candidates from very different tiers: the Hasselblad X1D II 50C medium format mirrorless, and the Sony Alpha a6300 advanced APS-C mirrorless. Both serve distinct photographer needs and budgets. We've spent extensive hands-on time testing these cameras, analyzing their performance across genres, technologies, ergonomics, and creative versatility. This guide cuts through the specs clutter to help you find the right fit - whether you prioritize ultimate image quality, speed, or value.

First Impressions: Size and Handling in the Hand

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C embodies medium format photography’s renowned precision and luxury - it feels robust and designed with the studio and fine art photographer in mind. The Sony A6300, comparatively, is compact, lightweight, and built for versatility on the move.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C:

  • Body dimensions: 150 x 98 x 71 mm
  • Weight: 725g
  • Rangefinder-style, solid magnesium alloy chassis with weather sealing
  • Excellent grip with intuitive button placement but somewhat larger footprint makes it less pocket-friendly

• Sony A6300:

  • Body dimensions: 120 x 67 x 49 mm
  • Weight: 404g
  • Compact mirrorless rangefinder-style body, weather-sealed magnesium alloy frame
  • Very portable and discreet, ideal for street and travel photography where size matters

Ergonomics & Controls

Both cameras have electronic viewfinders and customizable control layouts, but the Sony's smaller size means buttons are tighter together, while the Hasselblad provides a more spacious layout suited for deliberate operation.

• Hasselblad's 3690-dot EVF offers a bright, magnified viewfinder experience compared to Sony's 2359-dot EVF.
• The Sony excels in continuous shooting and burst responsiveness, which aligns with its sports and wildlife strengths.
• Touchscreen on the Hasselblad enhances menu navigation and focusing, missing on the Sony A6300.

If you shoot with gloves or prefer larger controls for studio or landscape sessions, the Hasselblad’s layout supports that. Conversely, the Sony’s nimble design is built to keep pace with spontaneous moments.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Size vs. Speed

At the sensor core lies the biggest divergence.

Medium Format Magic

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C carries a 51MP medium format sensor - around four times the area of Sony’s APS-C sensor. This larger sensor allows incredible resolution, superior color depth, and extremely rich dynamic range, making it ideal for:

• Fine art and portrait photographers who demand exquisite skin tone rendition and subtle tonal gradations
• Landscape shooters seeking to capture the widest light range and detail
• Product and commercial photographers needing high-res outputs for large prints or detailed crops

No APS-C camera, including the Sony A6300, matches this level of image data fidelity.

Sony's High-Speed APS-C

The Sony A6300’s 24MP APS-C sensor is no slouch. It balances good resolution with excellent speed capabilities and proven low-light performance for an affordable price. The sensor excels in:

• High-speed subjects, thanks to its superior burst shooting and fast readout
• Video work, supporting 4K recording with clean detail
• Versatility for enthusiasts wanting professional features in a compact body

Despite the smaller sensor, Sony’s advanced BIONZ X processor contributes to efficient noise management, although it can’t beat the native dynamic range or color depth of the Hasselblad.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Autofocus speed and accuracy differ significantly and determine suitability for various photography styles.

The Hasselblad relies on contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) which, while accurate, is slower - best suited for static or slow-moving subjects like portraits and landscapes. Meanwhile, the Sony A6300’s hybrid autofocus uses 425 phase-detection points for fast, reliable focusing even in challenging conditions.

For wildlife and sports photography, the Sony’s AF and 11fps burst rate enable you to track rapid motion effectively. The Hasselblad’s 2.7fps limits action usage but is excellent for slow, intentional shooting where ultimate resolution and image quality matter most.

In-Depth Look at Build Quality & Durability

Both cameras offer weather resistance but with some practical differences.

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C:

  • Fully weather sealed (dust and moisture resistant)
  • Magnesium alloy chassis crafted for professional rigors
  • No physical shockproof or freezeproof rating, but handles rough studio or moderate outdoor use well

• Sony A6300:

  • Weather resistant magnesium alloy frame designed to protect against dust and moisture
  • Lightweight and robust for travel and rapid shooting scenarios

While both fare well outdoors, the Hasselblad is better tailored for stable, controlled environments, and the Sony is prepared for spontaneous fieldwork.

Display and Viewfinder Insights

Your ability to frame and review photos is critical during shooting.

• The Hasselblad's fixed 3.6" touchscreen LCD features 2360k dots for crisp playback and menu navigation. Touch interface supports precise AF point selection and setting adjustments on the fly.
• The Sony A6300's tilting 3" LCD (922k dots) is slightly lower resolution and lacks touchscreen functionality but tilts for creative shooting angles, useful for vlogging or low/high perspectives.

Electronic Viewfinders (EVF):

• Hasselblad: 3690k dot OLED, 0.87x magnification
• Sony: 2359k dot OLED, 0.7x magnification

The Hasselblad’s EVF provides a larger, sharper view, enhancing manual focusing and confirmation on high-res image details.

Versatility in Shooting Styles and Genres

How do these cameras stand up in real-world photography disciplines?

Portrait Photography

For portrait work demanding the finest flesh tone refinements and maximal detail around eyes, the Hasselblad’s sensor and color science excel. If you want faster AF or video-centric portraits, Sony’s eye-AF is a big plus.

Landscape Photography

The Hasselblad X1D II offers unmatched dynamic range and resolution for landscapes - you get large print-worthy files that capture shadows and highlights with impressive latitude.

Sony’s smaller sensor still handles landscapes well, especially with in-camera HDR and post-processing, plus its lighter weight encourages handheld shooting in remote locations.

Weather sealing and durability give both a nod here, but Hasselblad’s build conveys prestige for serious landscape photographers.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, Sony A6300 shines:

• 11fps burst shooting captures action fluidly
• Hybrid autofocus with extensive AF points offers superior tracking
• Lens ecosystem: 121 Sony E-mount lenses, including many fast telephotos compatible with a crop sensor
• Lightweight body for extended handheld shooting

The Hasselblad’s 2.7fps and no eye-AF limit its use in active wildlife or sports but make it perfect for controlled portrait sessions.

Street Photography

The Sony A6300’s small form factor, tilting screen, and quick AF make it superb for street and candid photography. Hasselblad’s larger size and slower AF mean it’s less discreet but rewards deliberate, thoughtful compositions.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is specialized for macro out of the box, but both support compatible macro lenses. Hasselblad’s large sensor helps detail capture at close range, while Sony’s faster AF helps lock focus quickly on tiny subjects.

Night and Astrophotography

• Hasselblad: Superb noise control at ISO with a low-noise score (4489), plus excellent dynamic range retain faint stars and colors.
• Sony: Good 4K video and decent high-ISO performance (ISO 1437 low-light score).

Hasselblad’s manual control precision benefits long exposure and stacking, but Sony offers highly accessible night-handling and interval recording via apps.

Video Capabilities

Sony’s a clear winner for video here with true 4K UHD and decent slow-motion options. Hasselblad video is more basic, aimed at soundstill users who want supplemental clips.

Travel Photography

Sony’s compactness and battery life (approx. 400 shots) make it ideal for travel. Hasselblad offers less battery life (about 400–500 not officially stated) and larger size, but the image quality may justify the load for specialized travel shoots (e.g., cultural, landscape).

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

• Hasselblad X Mount: 13 native lenses designed for medium format precision. While superb optics, the lens count is more limited and expensive; great for targeted professional use.
• Sony E Mount: 121 lenses available, covering everything from budget primes to high-end telephotos, macro, and cine lenses - unmatched versatility.

If you want flexibility and affordability in lenses, Sony wins. For the ultimate in medium format optics, Hasselblad’s lenses deliver exceptional sharpness and bokeh rendering.

Workflow, Storage, and Connectivity

*Hasselblad battery life is approximate; lacking official figures but comparable in real-world use.

The dual card slots on the Hasselblad provide peace of mind for professionals needing instant backups. Faster USB 3.0 also aids faster transfer.

Sony offers NFC pairing which Hasselblad lacks, easing quick wireless sharing.

Pricing and Value Proposition

• Hasselblad X1D II 50C: $5750
• Sony A6300: $889 (approximate current market price)

This drastic price difference reflects the medium format sensor, build quality, and exclusivity of Hasselblad, whereas Sony offers solid performance within a budget for enthusiasts and prosumers.

Summary Table: Key Specs at a Glance

Seeing Is Believing: Image Samples Side-by-Side

Hasselblad X1D II 50C front Hasselblad X1D II 50C screen back Sony A6300 front Sony A6300 screen back

The Hasselblad’s files exhibit incredible detail - clean, deep shadows and smooth gradients in skies and skin tones. The Sony produces sharp, punchy images with vibrant colors, excellent for quick delivery and casual sharing.

Overall Scores from Industry Benchmarks

• Hasselblad scores very high on image quality and dynamic range, but low on speed and video.
• Sony scores well on autofocus, burst rate, and video, with solid all-around capabilities.

Performance by Photography Genre

• Hasselblad: Elite for Portrait, Landscape, High-Resolution Commercial; less ideal for Wildlife and Sports.
• Sony: Versatile performer favored in Sports, Street, Wildlife, and general enthusiasts.

Who Should Choose Hasselblad X1D II 50C?

• You are a studio, portrait, or landscape photographer needing unparalleled image fidelity.
• Your workflow involves large prints, high-end commercial clients, or fine art production.
• You value medium format color depth and dynamic range above speed.
• You shoot mostly in controlled environments, prioritizing precision over rapid shooting.

Check out Hasselblad’s XH zoom or prime lenses and pairing with professional lighting setups to maximize potential.

Who Should Go with Sony A6300?

• You need a fast, versatile, and lightweight camera for travel, street, sports, or wildlife photography.
• Video is a key part of your workflow, requiring 4K capability and microphone input.
• You want access to a vast lens ecosystem and affordable upgrades.
• You are budget-conscious without sacrificing core performance and autofocus speed.

Explore Sony’s G Master lenses and lens adapters if you want to expand creative options.

Final Thoughts: Matching Gear to Your Creative Vision

Both the Hasselblad X1D II 50C and Sony A6300 are exceptional cameras in their own right - but they serve very different photographic journeys.

If image quality is your non-negotiable priority and budget allows, the Hasselblad’s medium format sensor offers results that few can rival. On the other hand, the Sony A6300 delivers punchy performance, superior autofocus, and remarkable video in a highly portable and affordable package.

Whichever you choose, experiencing the unique creative possibilities firsthand is essential. Get your hands on these cameras, test with your preferred lenses, and see which aligns best with your style and goals. Then, gear up and let your creativity soar.

Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison helpful, check out our hands-on lens guides and accessory recommendations to get the most out of your investment!