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Hasselblad's New CEO Unveils First CMOS Medium Format Camera

Hasselblad makes the long-awaited move to CMOS sensors with an eye on reducing costs and improving performance.

Credit:
TJ Donegan
Written by TJ Donegan, who has covered electronics, TVs, smartphones, parenting for 10+ years.

Updated October 2, 2014

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Hasselblad unveiled its latest creation today: a 50-megapixel medium format camera called the H5D-50c. Due to be released in March, the 50c will be the first medium format camera with a CMOS image sensor—all previous digital medium format cameras have employed CCD sensors.

Details are still scare, but Hasselblad's new CEO Ian Rawcliffe said in a press release:

"We are extremely excited about this highly adaptable new camera which will offer an even broader palette of shooting options for our high-end customers.

"This is a world-first and underpins Hasselblad's status at the forefront of camera technology. It will be the first of a number of medium format capture innovations we have planned for the coming months."

Most high-end digital cameras employ CMOS image sensors as opposed to CCD sensors. CMOS sensors are typically less expensive to produce on a large scale, with integrated systems that can result in smaller cameras. Medium format camera manufacturers have been slow to adopt CMOS sensors, as CCDs traditionally have provided better image quality than CMOS sensors, though increased competition and recent improvements in that regard seem to have changed Hasselblad's mind.

According to Hasselblad, the new CMOS sensor will provide faster capture rate, longer shutter speed capability, and much greater ISO performance. It will also allow for improved live view and multi-shot functionality.

The H5D-50c will go on sale this March. Hasselblad are currently mum on pricing, availability, and more detailed specs, though the company is promising more details closer to launch. Hasselblad typically puts on quite a shot at CP+, so we'll likely have some hands-on time with the new camera when we put our boots on the ground next month in Yokohama, Japan.

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