DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

How Google Pixel 2 compares to $20,000 Hasselblad medium format camera

Jan 2, 2018 by Dunja Djudjic 24 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

In recent tests from DxO, the camera of Google Pixel 2 takes the first place as the best mobile device camera they’ve tested so far. According to the sample images, it really does a good job, but how does it stack up against a professional camera? Tyler Stalman has decided to check it. In this video, he and photographer Jason Eng test Google Pixel 2 and a Hasselblad medium format system in different lighting conditions, and compare the results.

YouTube video

We’ve seen similar comparisons before, although mainly for the video. iPhone 7 Plus was competing with a RED Weapon camera, and iPhone X was compared to Panasonic GH 5. Tyler and Jason compare the quality of the photos taken with a $1,000 phone camera and a professional medium format system that costs twenty times this much.

Testing dynamic range

For the first test, the guys are setting up the light so it creates a high-contrast situation. They are photographing model Ania Boniecka and compare the images they get with both cameras.

As Tyler points out, small-sensor cameras usually struggle with dynamic range. However, Google Pixel 2 uses HDR Plus feature to combine up to ten images into one final exposure, so it manages to save a lot of detail.

When we look at the normal size, all photos are usable and seem well exposed. When zoomed in, however, we can see that with Google Pixel 2 the shadows lose more detail. Also, Hasselblad has smoother transition even when the skin is overexposed. Google Pixel’s HDR saves the highlights from getting burned out but adds some undesirable texture to the skin in these bright areas.

Testing sharpness

When the photos are viewed in Lightroom, perceived sharpness on a smaller screen looks similar. But again, when zoomed in, we can see the difference. On Google Pixel, some “watercolor effect” starts to show on the skin. They didn’t shoot in the brightest environment, so the camera removed the noise and caused this effect.

Testing depth of field

For the final test, the guys added some Christmas lights to the background. On the first sight, the blur on the photos looks pretty similar. The plant in the background looks almost the same in both images, but the blur on the lights gives away which photo was taken with the phone.

So, can a phone camera beat a professional, high-end medium format system? Well, of course not. But still, considering that Google Pixel 2 is a phone camera with a significantly smaller sensor, it still does a decent job. Even if you are a professional photographer, I guess this phone camera will do for some casual shots. After all, you can even take a magazine cover or a worldwide-famous photo with a phone. You never know.

[Google Pixel 2 Camera Test vs. $20k Hasselblad via ISO 1200]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Hasselblad’s new medium format mirrorless X1D camera leaked Hasselblad unleash new A6D 100MP medium format aerial camera DJI and Hasselblad’s “new” aerial photography platform is a flying 100MP medium format camera Hasselblad announce adapter to let you use XPan lenses on your X1D medium format digital camera

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: Hasselblad, Smartphone (Gear)

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.net

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« How zone focusing will help you to get better street photography
7 common studio portrait lighting mistakes and how you can avoid them »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • I matched the Sun and the Moon with a 400mm lens
  • New transcription features are added to Davinci Resolve 18.6.4
  • Single 8mm film resurrected from the dead by open source project
  • Uber Eats is AI-Generating Images, and it’s terrible at it
  • The Comprehensive Tech Guide To Pinhole Photography

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy