Best Medium Format Digital Camera
In this day and age of digital innovations, many people can barely catch their breath before a new technology is unveiled at one technology event or another. When it comes to buying digital cameras, many people can’t really tell for sure which type of camera is ideal for them. However, one camera type that has stood the test of time is the medium format camera. Choosing the best medium format digital camera for yourself is not going to be easy though.
For those who may not know what it is, a medium format digital camera is a camera that uses a 120-film size or an imaging sensor that mimics the 120-film size. This camera is used for capturing images that are smaller than large format sizes (102×127mm) but larger than images taken by 135mm full-frame sensors. For their capabilities, they are best suited for still photography such as advertising, fashion, and wildlife images.
Now that you know what a medium format digital camera is, in this article we have reviewed the 5 best best medium format digital camera on the market for your easier buying decision this year.
If you want to skip all that and find out the best one, we recommend the following:
- Fujifilm GFX-50s – best overall
- Nikon D5600 – best value
- Fujifilm GFX-50s, Pentax 645D, and Nikon D850 – best long-range outdoor
A Spotlight On The Best Medium Format Digital Camera
Best Medium Format Digital Camera Reviews:
Pentax 645D 40MP Medium Format Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Body Only)
Just like Nikon, Canon and Fujifilm camera manufacturers, Pentax has been a household name for many decades. Their Pentax 645D is a 40MP medium format camera for both professional and amateur photographers who want clear and bold images.
It has a consecutive shooting frame of 1.1 frames per second that can deliver images at a maximum of 40-megapixel resolution. To preserve the device from harsh weather elements, the 645D has a very rigid magnesium alloy cover protecting an equally strong diecast chassis.
Let us also add that this medium format camera has a cold-proof design so you can take outdoor shots under any weather condition. Hot or cold, rain, winter or summer seasons. With your Pentax 645D, you have nothing to worry about.
- Easy to handle.
- Quality packaging.
- Produces crystal clear image portraits.
- Durable and weather-resistant exterior.
- Amazing color control features.
- Too heavy and not fit for road trips .
Strength of this camera
This camera is great for:
- Portraits
- Outdoor pictures
Nikon D850 FX- Digital SLR Camera Body
Nikon is at it again and with their D850, extreme HD resolution meets extreme speed. One common issue many users have with high-resolution cameras include device hanging and overheating. Well, if you previously experience these issues with other cameras, you are not going to have the same complaint with this medium format camera.
Nikon’s D850 allows you to capture images with its 45.7-megapixel. The remarkable advancements introduced gives the D850 a higher standing compared to previous D800 and D800E versions. If you go for this camera, you get to enjoy explicit sensor design, a dynamic range for your images, efficient autofocus, control Speedlight, and extended battery life and more importantly, a 4k UHD time sequence.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional or an amateur photographer. The D850 has high-tech settings for pros and intuitive manual settings for everyday image capture enthusiasts.
- Sharp image quality.
- Rear LCD touchscreen for easy use.
- Quick action autofocusses for locking targets.
- Fast and efficient camera CPU.
- Auto Focus isn’t available for 4k video recording.
- iOS app is not as good as it should be for iOS users.
Strength of this camera
This camera is great for:
- Portrait
- Indoor pictures
Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera (Body Only)
Fujifilm is one of the world’s most renowned camera manufacturer, so it did not come as a surprise to us when we received positive feedback from buyers who had the good fortune of buying the GFX 50S.
If you scan the market, you will not find many medium format cameras out there, but among those few, you will find the GFX50S is arguably the best camera of this niche on sale today. Make no mistake about the price or the size.
The quality you pay for is the quality you are going to get and much more.
For starters, the GFX 50S is the very first camera with a Focal-Plane Shutter specially designed for a medium format mirrorless camera. This capability allows the camera to withstand as much as 150,000 actuations at a speed of 1/4000 seconds. The images it produces are pristine and full of amazing color combinations that will impress many a viewer.
It also has an optimized image sensor and design for efficient image resolution and captures no matter the light conditions in the area.
- Has a long and dynamic range for a camera of its size.
- Very simple setup.
- Customized controls and straightforward system menu.
- HD features for shooting outdoors.
- Weather-resistant exterior.
- Too heavy and bulky.
Strength of this camera
This camera is great for:
- Portrait
- Slides
- Outdoor pictures
- Indoor pictures
Nikon D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR Body
The DX5600 SLR medium format camera is the second Nikon camera we have reviewed in this article. Since all the cameras on this list are high-end cameras, we felt the need to review a lower-end camera that buyers who are on a smaller budget can consider. One might doubt the quality of the DX5600 but they will soon find out how wrong they can be.
We included this budget-friendly camera for two reasons. Firstly, it is an ideal camera for those looking to learn the art of digital photography. Rather than face the challenges of handling the complex controls of more advanced cameras, this medium format camera is easy to control without the need to master any photo shooting skill. Secondly, the DX5600 has a long-lasting battery that allows you to take as many as 970 shots per charge. That’s like snapping pictures outdoors for a whole day and not worrying about where to recharge the batteries.
You can shoot pictures under low light conditions and save them in the free cloud storage available for users. If you are looking for an affordable camera that offers you the opportunity to learn, play, and take high-quality videos and pictures, DX5600 is definitely your pocket’s best friend.
- Budget-friendly.
- Ideal for beginner in taking fantastic still photo.
- Long lasting battery.
- Can take pictures under low light conditions.
- Free cloud storage included.
- Autofocus in video mode is not impressive.
- Cannot have external remote, need to use phone for such purpose.
Strength of this camera
This camera is great for:
- Portrait
- Indoor pictures
Hasselblad X1D-50c (Body Only) with 3” LCD, Silver (H-3013901)
Hasslebald may not be a very popular choice for shoppers, but popularity doesn’t always translate to quality as you already know. Why Hasselbald has flown under the radar is quite a surprise, but this is not down to a lack of quality but maybe a brand marketing issue.
The X1D-50c is mirrorless and also medium format camera. It is half the weight of most of the other medium format cameras you will come across. With a capacity to capture images at 1.7-2.3 frames per second one can’t really hope for a faster and more efficient digital camera.
For easy control, it is spotting a 920k pixel touchscreen and a 5.3 CMOS sensor. As a caveat, this Hasselbald camera is suitable for still photography only so you need to bear that in mind should you choose to go for it. It is a functional and workman-like camera for outdoor shots and video production.
- A huge sensor for long-range shots.
- Very sharp and inch-perfect images.
- Auto and manual zoom for image angle manipulation.
- Brilliant ergonomic features.
- Great for still life photography.
- Not ideal for low light conditions.
- Slow autofocus feature making it unfit for motion images.
Strength of this camera
This camera is great for:
- Portrait
- Slides
- Outdoor pictures
Concluding Remarks
From among the 5 best medium format digital camera on our list, picking a suitable option shouldn’t be a problem.
All the cameras reviewed under our five best medium format digital cameras offer users high-quality images and videos. If you are on a lean budget, you can still enjoy crystal clear images by buying the Nikon D5600 camera.
For long-range outdoor images and videos, Fujifilm GFX-50s, Pentax 645D, and Nikon D850 finish off each other in a close tie.
Hasselbald X1D-50c is equally an efficient machine for outdoor still photography and video recording.
For the best overall that offers the greatest value, Fujifilm GFX-50s has the best high-resolution technology and a high 51.4 megapixel for inch-perfect and clear images and videos.
Related Best Medium Format Digital Camera Resources
- Digital Camera
- Medium Format Digital Camera
- Digital Mirrorless Camera
- Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera
- Camera Bags and Cases
- Digital Camera Accessories
- Digital Camera Tripods and Monopods
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