Medium format cameras are a niche, but they are important for many photographers. They offer several options, ranging from increased pixel density to massive builds and vibrant colors. There are multiple cameras that excel in this area, but if you are looking at medium format cameras that resemble DSLRs, then here are the two best options for you.
Leica S2
Why is it great? The autofocus is accurate and resembles that of the Canon 5D Mk II’s focusing. The medium format offers a wealth of color depth, versatility, and color accuracy, and with the right lens, you also achieve sharpness and contrast. As for ISO, it is better to use it up to 160. Anything higher, and you get a lot of noise.
Who is it for? Documentary, street, portrait, and landscape photographers. The camera
What makes it so special? The Leica S2 features a 37.5MP 30 x 45mm sensor, while its body design is similar to that of a modern 35mm DSLR. It features a 1/4000 shutter speed, a 3-inch LCD, and ISO settings ranging from 80 to 1250. The camera is comfortable to hold, beefy, and easy to use.
In our review, we said:
The image quality drastically improves from shooting compressed to uncompressed DNGs. And if you want the absolute best image quality from this camera, I recommend doing nothing else but shooting uncompressed. Otherwise, you’re wasting your funding.
Pentax 645Z
Why is it great? The Pentax camera’s autofocus is slow, but it is quite accurate. However, in low-light or backlit areas, it is best to rely on manual focusing. The high ISO output is excellent, and you can capture colorful images at up to ISO 12,800. You can also see details in the shadow, and the dynamic range is pretty exceptional as well. Overexposed images can also be corrected easily.
Who is it for? As a medium format camera, it is good for weddings, portraits, commercial work, stock photography, and landscapes.
What makes it so special? The Pentax 645Z features a 51MP sensor, an ISO range of up to 204,800, and a 3-inch 1,037,000-dot LCD. The camera also houses a viewfinder, a burst rate of 6fps, and it measures 156 x 117 x 123 mm. Ergonomically, the camera is big and feels like a full frame DSLR. The placement of the button could be improved, but the joystick on the back is perfectly positioned for moving AF points. It is also sturdy and features 76 weather-seals.
In our review, we said:
Big and beautiful with brilliant color detail. The reason you get this camera. Viewing the files at 100% revealed sharp detail.
