If you like the look you get shooting video with a full frame sensor, then you are sure to love the look of medium format. Hasselblad’s new H6D-100C 100MP medium format camera is capable of capturing 12bit 4K UHD (3840 x 2160p) raw video. It does this to Hasselblad’s own proprietary raw video format, that can then be converted to Apple ProRes using Phocus 3.0 software, which comes with the camera. The camera can also capture HD in the H.264 format.
The H6D-100C uses a 100MP CMOS sensor that Hasselblad say, delivers unmatchable image quality and the ability to resolve the finest detail when used with the companies HC & HCD lenses. The 100MP sensor has a claimed 15 stops of dynamic range, allowing for maximum detail to be captured in both highlight and shadow areas. According to Hasselblad, the sheer breadth of tonality that can be captured with the H6D-100c has to be seen to be believed. The sensor is a whopping 53.4 × 40.0mm. To put that is perspective the RED Weapon 8K sensor is 40.96mm x 21.6mm.
Hasselblad has a wide selection of lenses available for the camera, ranging from a 24MM f4.8 all the way up to a 300mm f4.5.
The camera has been designed on a new electronic platform that includes a new generation processor to handle the advanced features of the camera. This improved speed is needed for the huge data rate required for 4K raw footage. The camera features two card slots- CFast and a standard SD. A USB-C is used to transfer conventional digital photographs. The video footage can be captured at frame rates of up to 30fps, although there is no indication of whether there is 24 or 25p modes available.
There is a mini HDMI port along with the associated input/output ports that enables you to output a video feed to a external monitor. It is unclear whether this output is a clean feed, or whether you will be able to record it. UPDATE- According to The Video Mode who spoke to Hasselblad, the HDMI port can output a clean feed for external recording but only HD, not 4K footage, can be recorded over HDMI. Photographers are also likely to use this function to check composition and focus. For those wishing to shoot video, the camera also features a microphone input and headphone output socket which is good news.
The H6D-100C has a 3” high definition rear display with touch capability and user customisation options including the ability to assign favourite functions to touch buttons. the resolution of the rear screen is 920K dots. The ISO range is from 64 up to 12800.
Weight wise the H6D-100C comes in at 2.13kg (complete camera w/ HC80 lens, Li-Ion battery and card).
The camera is definitely aimed at high end professional photographers who are also required to shoot video. This camera could offer the best of both worlds. A medium format mega pixel monster capable of capturing stunning imagery whether you are shooting photos or video. All this doesn’t come cheap. The H6D-100C is priced at EUR 28900 (ex VAT). In $US thats around $32800.
This from Hasselblad
“The launch of the H6D range is the beginning of a year of celebration for Hasselblad. It’s fitting that we have returned to our pinnacle medium format camera to showcase the innovation and passion that have been present in every one of our first 75 years. Our obsessive approach to optical quality and precision hand building in Sweden is at the heart of this camera. We have retained the best and introduced the most relevant – delivering a medium format camera which we believe the Hasselblad user will fall in love with all over again.”- Perry Oosting, Hasselblad CEO
Specifications
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 120MB on average. TIFF 8 bit: 289MB; Video: HD (1920 x 1080p), UHD (3840 x 2160p)
File format Stills: Lossless compressed Hasselblad 3FR
Video: H.264 Compressed (30 fps) (HD only), Hasselblad RAW (HD & UHD)
Shooting mode Single shot stills, Video
Colour definition 16 bit; Dynamic range 15 stops
ISO speed range ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 & 12800
Storage options CFast card, SD card or tethered to Mac or PC
Colour management Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution
Storage capacity 16GB card holds 120 images on average
Capture rate TBD
Display 3 inch TFT type, 24 bit colour, 920K pixels; Touch functionality: Yes, full support; Live View: On camera, host and iOS device with high frame rate (30 fps)
Histogram feedback Yes (on rear display and on camera grip display)
IR filter Mounted in front of sensor
Acoustic feedback Yes
