Canon and Hasselblad both make quality digital cameras and accessories.
Hasselblad camera systems and Canon camera systems both feature advanced technology. Both can create beautiful images in the right hands, but Hasselblad designs its cameras from the ground up for use by working commercial photographers. Canon makes a mix of consumer- and professional-grade equipment. Hasselblad designs and manufactures medium-format camera equipment, while Canon designs and builds compact and full-frame DSLR cameras and accessories.
Camera Format
Even with the advent of digital photography, Hasselblad has remained true to its medium-format roots. During the days of film, Hasselblad cameras utilized a 6-centimeter square format called 6x6. Today's Hasselblad cameras use digital film backs equivalent to yesteryear's medium-format films. Canon produces two distinct formats -- full frame and compact sensor. The full-frame format is equivalent to shooting with a 35mm film camera. The compact sensor format uses a sensor smaller than a frame of 35mm film. In the medium format Hasselblad "H" system photographers find a system capable of using film and digital imaging mediums. The "H" system sensors are almost twice the size of 35 mm digital systems. This allows the Hasselblad to hold more pixels and provide better clarity and resolution and lower noise than a 35 mm digital system.
Technical Details
The Hasselblad CFV-39 digital back features a 36.7 mm by 49.1 mm sensor capable of producing images 5,412 pixels wide and 7,212 pixels high. The Hasselblad CFV-50 features the same size sensor but with 50 megapixels it produces images 6,132 pixels wide and 8,176 pixels high. Both sensors use 16-bit technology capable of capturing 65,536 different tones. Canon's full-frame EOS 1DS Mark III has a sensor that measures 36 mm wide by 24 mm high. The sensor's 14-bit technology captures 16,384 tones and produces a maximum image size of 5,616 pixels wide and 3,744 pixels high.
System Comparison
Canon has a much broader system and accessories set than Hasselblad. As of this writing in August 2011, Canon has more than 60 different lenses, seven flash units and various adapters, converters and file transfer accessories in its lineup. Hasselblad's narrower lineup includes 11 "H" system lenses, four "V" system lenses, and a large number of accessories and adapters. Although Hasselblad currently produces just four lenses for its "V" system, the "V" system can use any lens ever made by Hasselblad for its medium-format camera system.
Pricing
The base price for the Hasselblad H4D-200MS digital camera body and back in mid-2011 is $43,995.00. The system's lenses and accessories are comparably priced. Not all Hasselblad systems are as pricey as the H4D-200MS. For example the H4D-40 limited edition Ferrari design lists for $29,499, which includes an 80 mm lens.
The top-of-the line Canon EOS 1DS Mark III retails for $6,999.00 for the body only. Canon lenses range in price from a few hundred dollars to more than $12,000.
Tags: pixels high, pixels wide, pixels wide pixels, system lenses, wide pixels, wide pixels high