There aren’t many photographers who own all three cameras, so this isn’t a side-by-side comparison you’ll see too often. Forget the megapixels for a moment and find out which of these three heavyweight cameras gives the most pleasing results.
Photographer James Popsys is in the fortunate position of being able to reach for the Sony a7R V, the Leica Q3 43, or the Hasselblad X2D 100C whenever he likes. While the Sony and the Leica boast 60 megapixels and 61 megapixels, respectively, the Hasselblad weighs in at a massive 100 megapixels, with image quality boosted further by the simple dimensions of the sensor. All three deliver resolutions that far exceed the demands of the overwhelming majority of photographers, so pixel peeping isn’t really the best comparison.
Instead, Popsys takes a look at the images in terms of their look and feel, discovering some small differences that might push a photographer toward one body over the other. This is no criticism of Popsys—he’s probably got it lined up for a future video—but I’d be much more interested in getting an idea of how each camera affects the way you shoot: what it feels like to be out with that camera in the field and how each one impacts your intentionality.
While the Sony clearly offers the most versatility, it also presents the most distractions, with buttons, dials, and menu options that don’t necessarily get in the way but add another layer between you and the experience of shooting. By contrast, the Leica and the Hasselblad are both very much "photographer" cameras and offer a refined, pure process that creates a subtle shift in how it feels to have the camera in your hand.
If money were no barrier, which would be your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
