The present invention is related to a method for performing digital holographic imaging (DHI), said DHI being characterized by the fact that images of a sample (1) are obtained by applying numerical means to reconstruct holograms of the sample. In the method of the invention, the sample is in a medium (3) with controlled properties (5) that influence the behaviour of the sample, and/or that influence the process of hologram formation. The information content of one hologram, or of a plurality of holograms, recorded with the sample in one medium, or in a plurality of medium, is used to reconstruct one image of the sample, or a plurality of images of the sample, that describe quantitatively one property of the sample, or a plurality of properties of the sample. The present invention is also related to an apparatus with which to perform said method.