


Medium format sensors with larger pixels, in comparison to the traditional 24x36mm full-frame sensors, offer a better dynamic range that preserves the details that typically get lost in shadows and highlights. For instance, the human eye can perceive about 20 stops of dynamic range. Dynamic range is measured in stops and an increase of one-stop equals a doubling of the brightness level. Photo by Alexander Andrews Better Dynamic Rangeĭynamic range refers to the range of light intensities present in a photo, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. For instance, the pixel size in microns for Hasselblad’s H4D-31 (medium format) is 6.7 microns, while the pixel size for Nikon D800 (full frame) is 4.9 microns. Larger pixels improve light sensitivity – the larger the micron number, the better. In addition to bigger sensors, medium format cameras also have larger pixel size – the size of the pixel makes a big difference in image quality.
#Medium format vs full frame sensor size professional
This gives more choice and creative freedom in post-production, which is really important for every professional photographer. With greater light-gathering power, finer and more detailed tonal information can be produced, delivering more information in the final file. The use of a larger sensor means more light, and therefore more information is available when converting captured light into an image. Size is the most obvious difference when comparing medium format vs full frame cameras and their sensors. In this article we’re going to cover a few of the most important advantages of medium format cameras and how can they affect your photography. On the other hand, if you’re just a hobbyist, you probably won’t need this type of camera.

If you’re a professional photographer who’s into fashion work or product photography, you might consider buying a medium format camera because it can cut your photo editing time in half. Weighing up medium format vs full frame cameras is particularly personal to your photography situation. Photo by Dllu on Wikimedia Commonsīefore committing to buying a medium format digital camera, you should think about whether you really need it. There used to be a huge price difference between high-end DSLRs and medium-format cameras, but nowadays this difference isn’t so dramatic thanks to the arrival of lighter and smaller medium-format bodies, such as Hasselblad’s X1D-50c. To put it simply, medium format cameras have bigger sensors than the ones found in full-frame cameras and because of that, they are capable of capturing more detail and tonal range, which results in smoother tonal transition and better color accuracy. Nowadays, the term applies to film and digital cameras that record images on media larger than 24mm × 36mm, but smaller than 100mm × 130mm, which is considered to be large format photography. In case you don’t know what a medium format camera is, we’ll explain it briefly. Let's talk about medium format vs full frame cameras.
