Medium-format cameras fall between the small and more significant sensor ranges.
These cameras are primarily used in photography that needs elevation in dynamic content, factual color accuracy, and defined minutiae in the images.
These cameras have minor cons; the only problem photographers can face while using them is their more extensive, heavier build and high cost.
The image quality of the medium format digital image makers is incredibly outstanding.
The popular flagships are now dedicated to sequestering the medium format sensors in compact, portable devices with affordable range.
Look at some of the best, reasonably priced, easy-to-carry medium format cameras.
Which are the Best medium format cameras?
Here are my recommended top 7 Best medium format cameras:-
| Image | View on Amazon | Best medium format cameras |
|---|---|---|
  | View on Amazon | Fujifilm GFX 100s: (best combination of price, quality, and usability for medium format) |
  | View on Amazon | Hasselblad 907X 50C: (A brilliant modular camera that’s cleverly thought out and affordable) |
  | View on Amazon | Fujifilm GFX 50S II: (A remarkably affordable medium format camera) |
  | View on Amazon | Hasselblad X1D II 50C: (New, improved, faster and slicker –the mirrorless Hasselblad has style) |
  | View on Amazon | Fujifilm GFX 50R: (An older GFX offering, but still an incredible medium format marvel) |
  | View on Amazon | Fujifilm GFX 100: (The GFX 100 brings modern mirrorless imaging to medium format) |
  | View on Amazon | Pentax 645Z: (It’s like a supersized Pentax K DSLR and affordable too) |
Fujifilm GFX 100s: (best combination of price, quality, and usability for medium format)
Those familiar with medium format cameras know they are the best digital cameras for delivering high-quality images.
Wedding photography mainly needs a digital device to pull off pictures with accurate color presentation.
Fujifilm GFX is the one that gives my wedding photos the precision and eminence required to please clients.
I have used a medium format camera since I started my wedding photography studio.
It has given me exceptional image results even in events in a low-light setting.
The bigger camera sensors allow ample light to get in and produce what simple DSLRs cannot.
Features:
Model: Fujifilm GFX100S
Effective Megapixel: 102 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (Bayer array)
ISO range: Stander: 100-12,800
Shutter speeds: 1/16000-30secs (A MODE)
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch (3.69M-dot) (0.77x Magnification)
Image stabilizer: sensor shift mechanism
Dimension: 150.0mm*104.2mm*87.2mm
Weight: 900g
ISO/Shutter speed
A camera with a larger sensor never needs more than base ISO to get a bright and clear picture, in my experience.
I have always used 100 ISO with a shutter speed of 1/125 or, in some photographs, 1/100.
I can get enough light by maintaining the shutter on the slower side because wedding photography does not always need motion freezing or motion blur.
Aperture/Field of view
There are plenty of options with interchangeable lens cameras; the photographer feels free to switch according to need.
The lens choice is based on the focal length more than it depends upon the aperture.
Good lenses that offer 2-22 f stops best capture the desired field of view.
I once captured a picture of a beautiful bride with a white dress, a very dark background, and dim lighting with f/7.1; as a portrait picture, I needed to focus on the bride, but I had to include the evocative background for the desired presentation.
White balance/ Frame rate
The white balance options of the camera are advantageous to obtain discreet colors without any overlapping orange or blue ting.
I mostly use Auto White Balance, but I suggest customizing the temperature to get the perfect white if there are multiple light ambiances.
The camera can shoot continuously at 2.9 fps.
Moreover, I made some videos with 4k at 24 fps for a more realistic touch.
Why is this camera the best?
An unparalleled image-making experience can only come with a medium format sensor.
GFX 100s has all the required traits to capture a high-quality image, such as 102 MP and a Bayer array sensor.
Moreover, the quad-core Engine gives the camera excellent footing to the processor the picture with prodigious medium format excellence.
Conclusion
Fujifilm GFX 100s is the best combination of price, quality, and usability for a medium format with a powerful processor, a large sensor, and 16-bit images to display perfect colors.
A true-to-life picture is undoubtedly possible with GFX.
Moreover, a camera with such attributes is only 900g in its weight.
Hasselblad 907X 50C: (A brilliant modular camera that’s cleverly thought out and affordable)
My cousin and I started photography together.
He was into landscape photography, while I covered the night sky as a star trail enthusiast.
I use medium format cameras for my photographs as they have more potential to capture the organic scene without compromising the quality.
My cousin went on a trip a few days back, and his camera did not perform according to his expectations during the night shoot.
He was very disappointed and decided to switch to a medium format.
As he has seen the results of my Hasselblad 907X 50C, he purchased it, and his picture outcome is much improved now.
Features:
Model: Hasselblad 907X 50C
Effective Megapixel: 50 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (CMOS)
ISO range: Stander: 100-25600
Shutter speeds: 1/10000-4080secs
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: 3.2-inch (2400,000 M-dot)
Image stabilizer: NA
Dimension: 102mm*93mm*84mm
Weight: 740g
ISO/Shutter speed
The best thing about medium format cameras is they don’t need any significant ISO shuffle to get the image to its perfect bright tone.
I used this camera for plenty of low light settings and increased the ISO to 300.
However, one time, when I was capturing the full moon over the hill, I needed to increase the ISO to 500 and keep the shutter at 1/200 to get a bright and crisp image.
Aperture/Depth of field
Taking the same image as a reference, I will explain the relationship between nature and the field view.
Most of the time, it might be landscape photography; the area to be included in the picture is vast, requiring a narrow shutter to increase the depth of field.
When I captured the moon image, I had to increase the ISO because the aperture was not comprehensive, and the sensor was not fully exposed to light.
White balance/ Frame rate
The white balance between capturing the night moon needs a suitable white balance mode to exclude the blue hues that usually appear in low-temperature settings.
I keep the white balance to auto for this moon.
The camera allows continuous shooting at 2.7 fps at 50 MP and supports full HD video making at 24-30 fps.
Why is this camera the best?
The 907X body and CFV 50C digital back make this camera a unique and versatile image maker with a charming design.
The satisfactory performance of the camera comes with its 50 MP image and available lens choice.
The combination of CFV and 907X opens new creative doors for photographers by letting them choose between wide-angle lenses, which was previously impossible.
Conclusion
Hasselblad 907X 50C is a brilliant modular camera that’s cleverly thought out and affordable, with multiple options regarding wide angle lens range and 14-stop dynamic range, enhancing the color stabilization of the images captured by 907X 50C.
Click here to buy
Fujifilm GFX 50S II: (A remarkably affordable medium format camera)
My friend is a novice photographer who needs to be more knowledgeable about the technicalities of digital cameras.
He came to me for assistance regarding photography because he was very impressed by my progress in this field.
I gave him a thorough overview of the basic of capturing good photographers and what are the requirements a photographer look for when buying a professional camera.
I suggested he buy Fujifilm GFX 50S II.
GFX 50S II is one of the incredible devices for professional photography as the image quality is far better than what is achievable through DSLRs.
Features:
Model: Fujifilm GFX 50S II
Effective Megapixel: 51.4 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (Bayer array)
ISO range: Stander: 100-12,800
Shutter speeds: 1/16000-30secs (A MODE)
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch (3.69M-dot) (0.77x Magnification)
Image stabilizer: sensor shift mechanism
Dimension: 150.0mm*104.2mm*87.2mm
Weight: 900g
ISO/ Shutter speed
The ISO sensitivity of the camera has a standard range from 100-12800 and an extended range from 50-102400.
The ISO and shutter speed make a picture realistic, bright, and noiseless.
I prefer using the camera with the lowest ISO when there is ample lighting, and the shutter speed is slower.
I asked my cousin to follow the rule of thumb of increasing the ISO while using a faster shutter to get the best images.
Aperture/ Depth of field
This is an interchangeable camera, so the need to stick to one lens has been ruled out.
Using a camera with a desired focal length and choosing an aperture size to get the required field of view depends on the photographs.
Once the photographer chooses the right lens, he can adjust the aperture according to the needed area.
When I want a bokeh effect, I go for a wide aperture, and when I need a crisp background in the pictures, I narrow the gap to increase the field view.
White balance/ Frame rate
The white balance is another element to consider while maintaining the image’s color precision.
I thoroughly explained to my cousin about choosing the correct white balance according to the lighting conditions, as it’s a solo set that can ruin the whole picture if not chosen wisely.
This camera’s white balance modes have preset and auto modes.
The camera can make a video in full HD with fluid and eye-pleasing quality at 24-30 frame rates per second.
Why is this camera the best?
Fujifilm is renowned for its signature image quality and color standards and 43.8mm*32.9mmm image use, making it a more focused and dynamic image maker.
The full-frame sensor with 50 MP is a much lesser image maker than GFX’s larger sensor employing 50 MP.
Conclusion
Fujifilm GFX 50S II highlights the slightest details when capturing an image.
It is a remarkably affordable medium format camera yet gives a defined and clean image presentation, thanks to the CMOS Bayer array sensor and wide dynamic range.
Click here to buy
Hasselblad X1D II 50C: (New, improved, faster,r and slicker –the mirrorless Hasselblad has style)
Medium format cameras are known for their large sensors and heavy build, so photographers are reluctant to buy them.
I am a massive admirer of the image quality of medium formats, but these cameras often disappoint when it comes to ergonomic ease.
However, when Hasselblad felt the need for improvement, they developed a potential camera.
Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek, ergonomically effective, stress-free camera.
I bought this camera a few months back, and it compensated for the only flaw I have seen in medium-format cameras.
Features:
Model: Hasselblad X1D II 50C
Effective Megapixel: 50 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (CMOS)
ISO range: Stander: 100-25600
Shutter speeds: 1/10000-60 minutes
Storage: 64 GB card for 600 RAW or 6000 JPEGs
Viewfinder: 3.6-inch (3,69 M-dot), (0.87x magnification)
Image stabilizer: NA
Dimension: 148mm*97mm*102mm
Weight: 650g
ISO/Shutter speed
I often see this camera’s ISO range in standard sensitivity.
However, the perfect use of ISO and shutter speed makes an image terrific.
I used a shutter speed of 1/800 and ISO 400 when capturing a landscape with seagulls flying over the lake.
Aperture/Depth of field
On my first trip to Italy with X1D, I captured an Image of two isolated houses in low light while the sun was at the edge of the mountain behind the houses.
This was a low-light setting, and I had to keep the shutter narrow to include every element of the foreground, place, and sunset.
I used f/11 in this particular picture to increase the depth of field and kept the shutter slow while increasing the ISO to a higher range.
White balance/ Frame rate
The white balance options of the camera range from auto to preset, and every single mode is suitable for appropriate lighting.
This camera’s frame rate has video shooting at a 29.97 frame rate per second, and continuous shooting is possible at a 2.7 frame rate.
Why is this camera the best?
The best feature of this camera is the improvements in the model.
I appreciate the upgraded features with a 46% present decrease in startup time and progress in the camera’s electronics.
Now there 3. a 6-inch rare touch screen and a 3.69 MD viewfinder for a more detailed preview while analyzing the click.
Conclusion
Hasselblad X1D II 50C can give live view with 60 frame rates per second, which has elevated the live view’s smoothness.
New, improved, faster, and slicker – the mirrorless Hasselblad has style with its more sophisticated Wi-Fi connectivity.
Moreover, the beautifully designed camera with dual SIM card and USB-C is more portable and accessible than ever.
Click here to buy
Fujifilm GFX 50R: (An older GFX offering, but still an incredible medium format marvel)
Medium format cameras can give a very high-pitched, exact, and meticulous image with dynamic colors, which is why they are popular in fashion photography.
My association with fashion photography started in 2010, and at first, I used to have a DSLR for my image-making.
Recently, a friend showed me his pictures captured by a medium format camera, and I instantly felt flabbergasted by eye-pleasing color visualization with defined details.
Therefore, I switched to Fujifilm GFX 50R. After learning about medium format cameras, I understood the best and worst cameras in this category.
Although GFX 50R is an older GFX offering, it is still an incredible medium-format marvel that beats the most recent ones in quality imaging.
Features:
Model: Fujifilm GFX 50R
Effective Megapixel: 51.4 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (Bayer array)
ISO range: Stander: 100-12,800
Shutter speeds: 1/16000-60 minutes (All MODE)
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch (3.69M-dot) (0.77x Magnification)
Image stabilizer: supported with OIS-type lenses
Dimension: 160.7mm*96.5mm*66.4mm
Weight: 775g
ISO/Shutter speed
Fashion photography is an integration of camera ability as well as the creative approach of the photographer.
I believe in experimental work when capturing photos of beautiful models and alluring wear.
I recently went on a swimwear shoot and wanted to introduce the motion freeze in the background water splash while the model was coming out of the pool in her dark blue swimwear.
I increased the shutter speed to 1/1000 and the ISO sensitivity to 640.
Aperture/Depth of field
I changed the model’s background to get another creative shot during the same shoot.
I clicked a fantastic image with a model in a lavender swimsuit on a white jet ski.
I kept the aperture f/16 to include the back sky and blue water pool with increased depth of field.
White balance/Frame rate
The white balance mood I used in this shooting was Daylight preset, although I recommend automatic scene recognition to most people who ask about the specifics of white balance mode.
The camera can shoot full HD video at 24-30 frame rates per second.
Why is this camera the best?
The traditional GFX with the most improved firmware in GFX takes this camera to a new world of possibilities for capturing superb image quality.
The 51.4 MP sensor and speedy image processor play a part in the greatness of the camera.
Conclusion
Nothing is impossible with Fujifilm GFX 50R.
It may be considered an older GFX offering, but an incredible medium format marvels with manageable functionality and the best image quality in the photography camera industry.
Click here to buy
Fujifilm GFX 100: (The GFX 100 brings modern mirrorless imaging to medium format)
My product advertisement photography company is a renowned establishment, and I make sure never to compromise on the quality of the photographers.
Whether it is an ad for an online website, a poster, or a magazine picture that needs a printout, my employees capture the shoots with Medium format cameras, as they are particularly good at retaining the picture qualities in prints without a blur, pixel break, or color blending.
Currently, we are using Fujifilm GFX 100, and it’s the best amalgamation of a traditional GFX base with modern soupçon that gives an edgy finish to the pictures.
Features:
Model: Fujifilm GFX100
Effective Megapixel: 102 MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.9mm (Bayer array)
ISO range: Stander: 100-12,800
Shutter speeds: 1/16000-30secs (A MODE)
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch (5.76M-dot) (0.86x Magnification)
Image stabilizer: sensor shift mechanism
Dimension: 156.2mm*163.6mm*102.9mm
Weight: 1400g
ISO/Shutter speed
Product photography mainly depends on the kind of product.
When I get a client in fashion or jewelry design who wants to showcase their product, I use portrait photography, and for that, the ISO and shutter are always at the base level or slow speed.
When focusing more on the person, I keep the ISO to 50 and shutter speed to 1/100 – 1/125.
Aperture/Depth of field
The aperture of any portrait needs to be broad.
I once shot for an advertisement of hats, and I had to keep the gap at f/3 to get a stunning bokeh effect of the esthetical background to control the depth of field shallowly.
White balance/Frame rate
Automatic scene recognition is the only setting I like the most in every camera, as going through the whole menu to find the best white balance is often in vain.
The camera supports 4k video at 24-30 fps, and while clicking for the product, I use 24 fps when recording a Video of the product.
Why this camera is the best
The superiority of Fujifilm’s camera comes with their faster processing engines.
Moreover, the camera is ergonomically very convenient as an anti-vibration unit keeps the handshakes at bay.
Conclusion
Fujifilm GFX 100 has a 102 MP sensor with a large sensor, so how can any detail remain hidden or any color remain?
The GFX 100 brings modern mirrorless imaging to medium format, and this amalgamation is designed to give a rich 16-bit image that can stun with its quality.
Click here to buy
Pentax 645Z: (It’s like a supersized Pentax K DSLR and affordable too)
My brother’s trip to Spain was approaching, and he was eager to be the cameraman on tour.
He was looking for a camera with outstanding picture quality, and every camera with the required specifications was too expensive.
After digging the internet for a while, he contacted me for an expert opinion, and my experience with photography gadgets benefited my brother in this regard.
I showed him my Pentax 645Z camera, which has terrific image quality and is reasonably priced.
He was captivated by the image quality and affordability and bought one for his trip to Spain.
Features:
Model: Pentax 645Z
Effective Megapixel: 51.4MP
Image sensor: 43.8*32.8mm (CMOS)
ISO range: Stander: 100-204800
Shutter speeds: 1/4000-30secs
Storage: SD Card/ SDHC Card/ SDXC Card
Viewfinder: Keplerian telescopic trapezoid
Image stabilizer: Lens shift type
Dimension: 156mm*117mm*123mm
Weight: 1550g
ISO/Shutter speed
It controls picture production with an ISO range of 100-204800 and a shutter speed of 1/4000-30 seconds for auto and manual modes.
Capturing landscapes and moving objects is equally handy with these specifications.
I told my brother to keep the ISO to the native range and shutter speed slow while capturing landscapes; however, if he needs to freeze the action, a higher ISO and a faster shutter would be preferable.
Aperture/Depth of field
Interchangeable lens cameras allow photographers to go easy with the required choice.
The camera is compatible with PENTAX lenses.
I used an HD PENTAX lens with a 90 mm focal length to capture a close-up.
I kept the aperture at f/14 to get a very esthetic bokeh in shallow depth of field.
White balance /Frame rate
I think the white balance setting mainly depends more on the type of photographs than on light availability.
I always use color temperature while capturing the solos for portrait and auto or Daylight for landscape photography.
The camera records the continuous shoot at three fps for 30 frames.
Why is this camera the best?
645Z is a digital device of no match with its 51.4 MP sensor.
The camera is designed without any filter to increase the sharpness of the image; the RAW image quality of 14-bit has enough of what makes the picture clean and impactful.
Conclusion
Pentax 645Z has a Prime III image processor allows continuous shooting at three fps.
It’s like a supersized Pentax K DSLR, and affordable too, even with SAFOX II autofocus that uses 27 points to improve the low light focus performance.
Click here to buy
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which is your Best medium format cameras?
Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
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Best Cameras for Videography Beginners:
I am a Professional and Certified Digital Photographer born in the USA. I have been in this field of photography for 22 years, and in these years, I have used many photography lenses and Cameras, which I want to share here on this website about my experience. The idea for Bestoflens.com is to provide honest information about different Lenses and Camera products in the format of a “Best lenses for AYZ” list. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best Cameras and lenses to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Bestoflens.