Skip to main content

Think full-frame DSLRs are too expensive? Check out Hasselblad’s $11,500 HV camera

You know how there are cars, and then there are cars? You could technically argue that Toyota and Ferrari make the same thing, from a functionality standpoint, but we all know that they aren’t equal. The same could be said about cameras. All cameras, ultimately, take pictures, but there are models akin to a Ferrari that go beyond their intended purpose – exuding style and luxury, with a price tag to match. One of those camera makers is Hasselblad, which just announced its newest full-frame DSLR, the $11,500 HV.

To professionals, Hasselblad is one of the go-to companies for medium-format cameras, which we have written about from time to time. But it also has a line of insanely expensive digital cameras that are geared toward anyone who can afford, say, that Ferrari. The HV joins the Lunar and Stellar in Hasselblad’s luxury lineup. The HV is made with titanium, high-grade aluminum, and tough PVD-finish frame, yet ergonomic and rugged (and big) like any high-end DSLR.

“This camera is aimed squarely at people who don’t just love taking pictures – but love taking them in real style,” said Hasselblad CEO Ian Rawcliffe. “And the HV doesn’t just look good; it feels good to hold too.”

Of course, as with the Lunar and Stellar, Hasselblad doesn’t mention in its press release or the website that beneath the ritzy exterior is actually the Sony A99 DSLR; everything, from the 24.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor to the SteadyShot image stabilization system, is made by Sony. The camera comes with a Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but will support any Sony A-mount or DT-mount (APS-C, cropped) lens.

We’re not sure who’s insane rich enough to buy these (somebody must, since Hasselblad just came out with a new model) and we can’t imagine a huge production run, which makes them that much more exclusive. For the rest of us, we can get our hands on the original Sony A99 for around $2,800 (body only) – the Toyota in our comparison. Yes, that’s still expensive, but a bargain when you park it next to the HV.

(Via Photo District News)

Editors' Recommendations

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…
How to hide photos on an Android phone or tablet
Google Photos

While today's best Android phones are quite secure as long as they remain locked with a passcode or biometrics like a fingerprint, by default those features only protect the front door. If someone picks up your phone while it's unlocked, there aren't typically any barriers that will keep them out of exploring everything from your contacts and emails to your photos.

This can be particularly challenging when it comes to photos, since those are the things we like to show off the most from our phones. We've likely all had those moments when we want to show a friend or co-worker a funny cat meme, so we hand over our phone and trust that they won't swipe right and see the photo of the hairy mole that we sent to our doctor that morning.

Read more
Best Sony A7 III deals: Save $300 on the full frame mirrorless camera
Sony A7 III

Sony A7 III Daven Mathies/Digital Trends / .

Even if you have one of the best camera phones at the moment, if you're a photography fanatic, you're probably feeling the burn for something new and exciting. For example, the Sony A7 III line is like none other in the world of handheld cameras and you can find several cameras in that line on sale right now at Best Buy. Here, we round up the best deals in the sale, then analyze how buying a Sony Alpha A7 III looks at the moment.
Today's best Sony A7 III deals

Read more
How to use (almost) any camera as a webcam for Zoom and more
how to use any camera as a web cam v2 00 58 01 still007

Cameras, even those in phones, brag about megapixels and lens specifications -- but laptops? Not so much. There’s a reason computer companies don’t say much about the webcams that come built into the bezels of their screens. Most of these cameras are low-quality, with tiny sensors and cheap lenses. Sure, they work for basic videoconferencing, but they aren’t very impressive and certainly leave us wanting something more.

While you could just buy a stand-alone webcam that connects over USB, to really take production value up a notch, you can opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. You’ll need a few workarounds to get this type of camera to be recognized as a webcam by your computer, but the trouble is worth it for the higher resolution, much better low-light performance, and cinematic background blur.

Read more