Professional photographer Manny Ortiz has conducted an in-depth comparison between medium format and full frame cameras, examining when the differences in image quality become apparent and when they remain negligible. The analysis involved testing high-end cameras including the Hasselblad X2D, Sony a1, Canon R5 Mark II, Fuji GFX100 II, and Sony a7R V under various conditions to determine the practical advantages of larger sensors.
Ortiz's latest video revisits his previous medium format versus full frame comparison with a more refined approach. He carefully adjusted color profiles and matched tones across different camera systems to create a fairer comparison. This methodical process revealed that medium format cameras primarily excel in producing smoother tonal transitions and more lifelike midtones, though these advantages are often subtle and require close examination to detect.
The comparison between the Fuji GFX100 II and Sony a7R V demonstrated what photographers often describe as '3D pop' - a three-dimensional quality that becomes particularly visible in skin texture and subtle gradations from light to shadow. Medium format cameras showed superior depth and richness in these areas, though Ortiz emphasized that lens quality plays a crucial role in achieving these results. He noted that exceptional glass on a full frame sensor can sometimes produce results comparable to medium format systems at a significantly lower cost.
When examining practical applications, Ortiz tested printed images and found that at common print sizes, most viewers would struggle to distinguish between medium format and full frame results. Even close-up crops rarely revealed significant differences to the average observer. This finding suggests that while technical differences exist, they may not translate to meaningful advantages for many photographers' typical use cases.
The analysis concluded that modern full frame cameras can compete effectively with medium format systems in most scenarios. The gap between formats has narrowed considerably, making medium format advantages more of a specialized benefit rather than a universal improvement. For photographers considering the investment, the choice often comes down to specific needs, budget constraints, and whether the subtle improvements in tonal quality justify the additional cost and equipment size.
