Hasselblad issues 400-megapixel camera

2.4GB a picture

The maker of serious professional cameras does not seem to care that most users think they can take a decent picture on their smartphone.

Hasselblad has released a 400-megapixel H6D-400c which takes four 100-megapixel images, shifting the sensor by one pixel for each capture, and then two more shots that shift the sensor by half a pixel. By combining all six stills, the resulting file is a single 400-megapixel (23200 x 17400 pixel) 2.64 16-bit TIFF file.

The images are large enough that the camera needs to be tethered to a computer to capture them so we are not talking about candid photography here. This would appear to be studio based photography which captures every skin flaw which needs to be photoshopped out.

The sensor-shifting technique takes a bit of time, so it’s best suited for very still scenes. Multi-Shot capture has become an industry standard in the field of art reproduction and cultural heritage for the documentation of paintings, sculptures, and artwork. As the only professional medium format system to feature multi-shot technology, Hasselblad continues to be the leading choice for institutions, organizations, and museums worldwide to record historic treasures in the highest image quality possible.

The camera will go for $47,995 when it launches in March, compared to its predessor's H6D-100c’s relatively modest $27,000 price tag.