The first advantage of an increase in sensor size is in terms of light capturing ability. The increase in sensor size or surface area results in the pixels on a medium format sensor being less tightly packed together than in a smaller format sensor of the same resolution. The larger sensor also affords an increase in dynamic range: up to 15 stops of dynamic range on the Hasselblad, compared to an industry standard full frame of 10 – 12 stops.

We took some test photographs to illustrate this question of dynamic range. When comparing the shadows and highlights of these images (or the darkest and lightest areas), we notice a far higher level of structure, detail and sharpness in the Hasselblad Raw images. This not only enriches the images that come straight out of the camera but gives the photographer so much more post-processing capability. Where detail lacks in the full frame, or even smaller sensored smartphone cameras, the image processor will just blur and fill areas lacking detail. The Hasselblad sensor, teamed with Hasselblad’s industry leading lenses portfolio, creates rich and detailed image files that record reality better than one’s eye often can.

Another positive of this increased dynamic range can be seen in the smooth transition of tonality across the portrait & still life images, with far better tonal accuracy and colour fidelity coming from the Hasselblad, especially within skin tones. Hasselblad calibrates every single sensor that comes out of their factory (less than 10,000 per year) by hand and in house, against a group of ‘golden backs’ or perfectly calibrated sensors that they keep at the factory, that have a ‘Holy Grail’ calibration according to the Hasselblad technicians. This attention to detail and artisanal approach to modern camera manufacture sets the Hasselblad system apart from other mass produced cameras like the Fuji GFX100 that share the same sensor.