Pixel Shift: Is It Worth It, or Is It Just Hype?
Testing Sony and Fujifilm Cameras
I still remember having my jaw drop when Hasselblad announced their pixel shift sensor, which they — if I remember correctly — developed in collaboration with or for the Louvre Museum to digitize their invaluable works of art. Quite some years later, I carry a camera with the same tech around my neck (Sony A7RIII). Recently, I also got a Fujifilm X-T5 for a test ride, and one of the things that interested me was how their version of this technology works. So, is Pixel Shift worth the hype?
What is Pixel Shift?
If the name is new to you, welcome aboard. Pixel shift technology is an advanced imaging technique implemented in digital cameras to enhance image resolution, improve color fidelity, and reduce noise. This method works by slightly shifting the camera’s image sensor in precise increments — usually by a fraction of a pixel — to capture multiple exposures of the same scene. The individual images are then combined to create a single image with enhanced detail and color accuracy. While primarily utilized in high-end cameras and for specialized purposes, pixel shift has seen varied adoption and reception since its introduction.
The roots of pixel shift technology can be traced back to early innovations in image…
