The Most Expensive Cameras in the World! Leica, Phase One & Hasselblad
There are two things that can make a camera expensive. The first is technical superiority. It is no surprise that the most expensive digital cameras offer the best image quality.
The other attribute is collectibility. Leica lovers, are willing to pay for rare cameras. The two most expensive cameras ever sold are both Leicas! €2,400,000 in 2018 for a Leica 0-series №122, topped by €14,400,000 in 2022 for the Leica 0-series №105 “Oskar Barnack”!
Phase One XF IQ4 150MP Camera System
The Phase One XF IQ4 150MP camera is a high-resolution medium format camera with 151MP resolution, 15 f-stop dynamic range, and multiple storage and tethering options. XF Camera System.
| RESOLUTION | 151MP (CMOS BSI) |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 15 f-stops |
| SENSITIVITY (ISO) | 50 - 25600 |
| ACTIVE PIXELS | 14204 x 10652 |
| STORAGE | XQD, CFexpress, SD, Capture One |
| TETHERING | Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless |
| WARRANTY | 5 years |
Phase One XT IQ4 150MP
The XT Camera System is dedicated to landscape photography.
The Phase One XT IQ4 150MP camera is a compact and lightweight medium format camera system that boasts a 151-megapixel CMOS (BSI) sensor, 15 f-stops dynamic range, up to 60 minutes of long exposure time, and multiple storage and tethering options including XQD, CFexpress, SD, Ethernet, USB-C, and wireless.
This camera is designed for photographers who demand high-resolution images, portability, and versatility, making it a great option for landscape, travel, and commercial photographers.
| RESOLUTION | 151-megapixels |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 15 f-stops |
| SENSITIVITY (ISO) | 50 - 25600 |
| LONG EXPOSURE | 60 minutes |
| SENSOR TYPE | CMOS (BSI) |
| ACTIVE PIXELS | 14204 x 10652 |
| OUTPUT IMAGE DIM. | 120.26 x 90.19 cm at 300 DPI |
| STORAGE | XQD, CFexpress, SD, Capture One |
| TETHERING | Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless |
Phase One XT IQ4 150MP Achromatic
The Phase One XT IQ4 150MP Achromatic camera is a monochromatic medium format camera that produces exceptional image quality with its 151-megapixel sensor without a color filter array, 16-bit RAW files, up to 60 minutes of long exposure time, and multiple storage and tethering options including XQD, CFexpress, SD, Ethernet, USB-C, and wireless.
It is designed for fine art, landscape, and architectural photography where black and white imagery is desired.
| RESOLUTION | 151-megapixels |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 15 f-stops |
| SENSITIVITY (ISO) | 200 - 102400 |
| LONG EXPOSURE | 60 minutes |
| SENSOR TYPE | CMOS (BSI) |
| ACTIVE PIXELS | 14204 x 10652 |
| OUTPUT IMAGE DIM. | 120.26 x 90.19 cm at 300 DPI |
| STORAGE | XQD, CFexpress, SD, Capture One |
| TETHERING | Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless |
Hasselblad H6D-400c MS
The Hasselblad H6D-400c MS is a medium format digital camera that features a 400-megapixel multi-shot image sensor, capable of capturing images with incredible detail and resolution, making it ideal for professional commercial and fine art photography.
The camera utilizes a 6-shot image capture process that combines six images to create one 400-megapixel image with exceptional color accuracy and tonal range.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor Type | CMOS, 100 megapixels (11600 × 8700 pixels, 4.6 × 4.6 µm) |
| Sensor Dimensions | 53.4 × 40.0mm |
| Image Size | Stills: RAW 3FR capture: Single-shot (100MP): 211MB. TIFF 8 bit: 300MB. 4-shot (100MP): 650MB. TIFF 8 bit: 300MB. 6-shot (400MP): 925MB. TIFF 8 bit: 1.2GB. TIFF 16 bit: 2.4GB. Video: HD (1920 x 1080p), UHD (3840 x 2160p) |
| File Format | Stills: Hasselblad 3FR, JPEG (12.5 MPixel) Video: Hasselblad RAW (UHD, 25 fps), H.264 Compressed (HD, 25 fps) |
| Shooting Mode | Stills: Single shot, 4-shot and 6-shot, Video |
| Colour Definition | 16 bit; Dynamic range approx. 15 stops |
| ISO Speed Range | ISO: 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 |
| Storage Options | CFast card, SD card (UHS-I) or tethered to Mac or PC |
| Colour Management | Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution, HNCS |
| Storage Capacity | 32GB card holds 144 signle shot images on average |
| Histogram Feedback | Yes, on Sensor Unit Display |
| IR Filter | Mounted in front of sensor |
| Software | Phocus for Mac and Windows |
| Platform Support | Macintosh: mac OS version 10.9 or later; PC: XP/Vista/Windows 7 (64 bit)/ 8 / 10 or later. |
| Host Connection Type | USB 3.0 (5 Gbit/s) Type-C connector, Mini HDMI, Audio In/Out |
| Additional Connections | Mini HDMI, Audio In/Out, Flash sync In/Out, Power In |
| View camera compatibility | Yes, Mechanical shutters controlled via flash sync. |
| Film compatibility | Yes |
| Shutter Speed Range | 60 minutes to 1/2000 sec (depending on lens type used) |
| Flash Sync Speed | Flash can be used at all shutter speeds |
| Viewfinder Options | HV 90x II: 90° eye-level viewfinder w. dioptre adjustment (-4 to +2.5D). Image magnification 2.7x. Integral fill-flash (GN. 12 @ ISO100). Hot shoe for SCA3002-system flashes from Metz™ HVM: Waist-level viewfinder. Image magnification 3.2x |
| Focusing | Autofocus metering with passive central cross-type sensor. Ultra focus digital feedback. Instant manual focus override. Metering range EV 1 to 19 at ISO 100 |
| Flash Control | Automatic TTL centre weighted system. Uses built-in flash or flashes compatible with SCA3002 (Metz™). Output can be adjusted from -3 to +3EV. For manual flashes a built-in metering system is available |
| Exposure Metering | Spot, Centre Weighted and Centre Spot |
| Metering Range | Spot: EV2 to 21, Centre Weighted: EV1 to 21, Centre Spot: EV1 to 21 |
| Operating Temperature | -10 - 45 ˚C / 14 - 113 ˚F |
| Dimensions | Complete camera w/ HC80 lens: 153 x 131 x 205mm [W x H x D] |
| Weight | 2180g (Complete camera w/ HC80 lens, Li-Ion battery and card) |
Leica 0-series №122
The Leica 0-series №122 is a rare and historically significant camera, produced in 1923 and considered the world’s first commercially successful 35mm camera. It features a collapsible lens and a cloth shutter, and only around 25 examples of this camera are known to exist today.
In 2018 at the 32nd WestLicht Camera Auction, a collector spend 2.4 million Euros on a Leica 0-series №122. That made it the most expensive camera ever sold at auction, at that time. It would have also been the most expensive camera in the world.
Leica 0-series №105 “Oskar Barnack”
On June 11th, 2022, the Leica 0-series №105 “Oskar Barnack” became the most expensive camera in the world selling for €14,400,000 at the 40th anniversary Leitz Auction.