To find the best medium format digital camera, you’ll need to determine the features that are right for you and your home. We recommend that you favor medium format digital cameras constructed with magnesium alloy or similar lightweight, durable metals, capture images with a minimum resolution of 50 megapixels, and feature a mirrorless design to reduce camera body bulk and weight for comfort and ease of use. Make sure to also consider cameras with modern features like LCD touchscreen controls and high modularity.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Hasselblad H6D-50c is the best medium format digital camera you can buy on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about how we’ve selected the best digital camera for any need.
Top 10 Best Medium Format Digital Cameras
#1 Hasselblad H6D-50c Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Superior dynamic range, lightweight, able to use wide-angle lenses, and constructed with stainless steel and aluminum alloy, it’s best-in-class for serious digital photography. That said, you’ll want a fine photo box to frame all your nice pictures.
- Fairly lightweight at 4.6lbs
- True Focus and Absolute Position Lock features
- Integrated LED AF illuminator for low-light autofocus
- Higher price point than many models
The Hasselblad H6D-50C is a 16-bit, 50-megapixel medium format camera made with high precision and attention to detail Hasselblad built its name on. Modern features include an Integrated LED AF illuminator to aid autofocus in low-light situations, wired and wireless tethered shooting, and patented True Focus and Absolute Position Lock for easy focus-and-recompose shooting, and an ultra-durable but fairly light at 4.6lbs stainless steel and aluminum alloy construction.
Related: If you like what you read so far, check the best compact cameras.
Its high price point is justified by its incredible image quality, modern features, lightweight, and clever design that includes a lithium battery pack that also functions as an ergonomic grip, but it may not be practical for non-professionals looking to upgrade their toolkit. For professionals and serious hobbyists, though, it’s the best in class.
#2 Hasselblad H6D-100C Medium Wide Format Camera
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: All the top-end features of its 50c cousin with the incredible boost of detail and richness that 100-megapixel sensors can capture.
- Battery pack doubles as ergonomic grip
- Wired and wireless tethered shooting ability
- Integrated LED AF illuminator for low-light autofocus
- One of the highest price points on market
The Hasselblad H6D-100C is a 16-bit, 100-megapixel medium format camera for the most professional of photography applications. Modern features include an Integrated LED AF illuminator to aid autofocus in low-light situations, wired and wireless tethered shooting, and patented True Focus and Absolute Position Lock for easy focus-and-recompose shooting, and highly durable steel construction that remains fairly lightweight.
Related: Discover the best digital camera accessories.
Featuring nearly a level of sophistication and precision you’d find at NASA, the HDD-50C’s 100-megapixel sibling offers an almost unparalleled level of image quality and control. With that comes one of the highest price points of commercially available medium format cameras, but for professionals looking for the very best in class, it can’t be topped.
#3 Pentax 645z Medium Format DSLR Digital Camera
Award: BEST EASE-OF-USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Tiltable viewfinder/LCD screen with multiple viewing options and precise, super-fast shutter speeds in a top-quality, super light camera that’s easy and comfortable to use.
- Lightweight at 3.4lbs
- Class-leading 3FPS frame rate
- Real-Time Scene Analysis
- Fewer modularity options than some models
The Pentax 645 Medium Format DSLR Camera features a large 51.4 effective megapixel sensor and is capable of continuous shooting at speeds of 3FPS. Its lightweight 3.4lb construction and fully tiltable LCD screen and viewfinder with multiple viewing options make it a flexible but easy-to-use option for professionals, while also being capable of shooting 4k 30fps video. It’s a nice camera, but it won’t work as a great underwater camera.
The selection of modular pieces on offer for it may be slightly smaller than in some top models. But its lightweight design, versatile view and menu options, modern features like Real-Time Scene Analysis, and its ability to capture richly detailed effective 51.4-megapixel images make it an excellent choice for professionals with a low learning curve suitable for intermediate users. For more easy-to-use options, our best digital camera for kids buying guide will have additional options.
#4 Hasselblad X1D II 50C Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST COMPACT DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasting Hasselblad’s legendary image quality with 50-megapixel resolution but with an ultra-compact, lightweight design with a smaller footprint than most 35mm cameras.
- 3.69MD OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- Lightweight at 4lbs
- 50mp sensor
- Slightly more fragile build than some on market
The Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a compact 50-megapixel medium format digital camera. It features the best-in-class image quality Hasselblad is known for in a compact, lightweight 4lb great mirrorless camera with a smaller footprint than most small-format 35mm cameras with several times the image quality.
Its high-precision build is slightly more fragile than similar medium format cameras on the market. But its exceptional image quality, ability to shoot 2k 30fps video, and exceptional Hasselblad design and build make it a terrific choice for a more compact professional-grade option with filmmaker functionality. It’s certainly a step up from the GE Power Pro X500, which only has 6MP.
#5 Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST FOR EXTREME CONDITIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Capable of operating safely with maximum performance in extreme cold and heat with a compact body, and a high rigidity magnesium alloy body, it’s a high-performance camera that can be used in a variety of extreme conditions.
- Safe operating temperature of 14°F – 104°F
- 3 directional tilting LCD touchscreen
- Light mirrorless construction
- High learning curve for new users
The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a 50-megapixel (51.4 effective) medium format digital camera with a 3 directional tilting LCD touchscreen and a light magnesium alloy mirrorless construction. Its body is weather-sealed in 58 points for extremely high resistance to dust and moisture. Its 14-stop sensor and advanced X-Processor Pro provide deep, richly detailed professional quality images with an overall design capable of safely operating in temperatures from 14-104 degrees.
Its numerous features and design may present a higher learning curve for new users just getting into medium format shooting. But the extremely tough but lightweight build, ability to withstand far more extreme temperatures and weather conditions than most similar models and its incredible image fidelity make it a great choice for professionals who shoot in a variety of extreme outdoor conditions. You might also want to consider the best binocular camera for the best outdoor photography.
#6 Fujifilm GFX 100 102MP Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An excellent value for an extreme condition camera that produces best-in-class 100mp images for professionals who work in a variety of demanding conditions but need the highest image quality possible.
- Integrated 95-point weather sealing
- 100-megapixel sensor
- Ergonomic design for maximum comfort
- Large body size may not be suitable for smaller hands
The Fujifilm GFX100 uses a CMOS sensor with over 100 million pixels which gives it among the highest resolution medium format images on the market. Its very light 3lb magnesium alloy body is sealed at 95 points for some of the best protection against dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures on the market.
Its bulk despite its lightweight may present a problem for users with smaller hands, although its ergonomically designed grips provide comfortable use for most users over long shoots. It’s a good value for some of the richest, most detailed images on the market in a build designed for a wide variety of extreme environments. For more Fujifilm picks, visit our best Fujifilm cameras buying guide.
#7 Pentax 645D 40MP Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST FOR BEGINNERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A familiar, comfortable design will remind hobbyists of 35mm cameras but the solid, precise build and 40mp sensor provide professional-quality images at a modest price point.
- Dual slot SD/SDHC memory card support
- Fully weather sealed and coldproof design
- Super fast, responsive 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system
- Slightly lower-res 14-bit raw images
The Pentax 645D 40MP is a medium format camera with a fast, high-performance sensor and processor that captures professional-quality 40-megapixel images in 14-bit RAW and Adobe SD format. Its solid design will feel familiar to 35mm camera users, helping give it a lower learning curve for users new to medium format cameras.
Though capable of richly detailed, professional-grade photographs, the 40mp sensor, and 14-bit file formats are slightly lower than that of the top models in the class. But for professional-grade results in an easy-to-use, solid, and precise camera, it’s an excellent value, which is why it’s our best digital camera for beginners on this list. Although, if you ever have problems with the SD card, you’ll want to know how to format the memory card for this digital camera.
#8 Fujifilm GFX 50R 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Professional-grade 50mp images with multiple options for digital interfacing, monitoring, and transferring, making it a great choice for digital media professionals.
- Dual high-speed UHS-II card slots and HDMI port
- Rangefinder Style design for precision frame finding
- High detail 51.4 effective megapixel images
- More complex features than some users may need
The Fujifilm GFX 50R is a medium format DSLR camera with a high-speed sensor that captures professional-grade 50 (51.4 effective) megapixel images. Its durable, light, and highly weather/dust/moisture resistant magnesium alloy construction is greatly augmented by multiple nonstandard digital connectivities and functionality features including an HDMI port, dual high-speed UHS-II card slots, and a Rangefinder-style LCD viewfinder and matched monitor that allow for more precise framing than many top models
Its plethora of digital features presents a higher learning curve and slightly higher price point than some DSLR cameras, making it possibly a less suitable choice for professionals who only deal with shooting and not multimedia digital production. But its extremely high image quality, secure and durable build, and extremely modern variety of features make it a perfect choice for multimedia professionals and graphic designers who require image capture of the highest standard.
#9 Mamiya 645-AFD III Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A full-featured 50-megapixel camera capable of both digital and film photography, with a silent coreless motor and at a price point great for hobbyists looking to up their game.
- User-selectable focus points
- Ultra-fast manual and automatic focus lens
- 36 Custom exposure, shutter speed, and focus functions
- Needs 6 AA batteries to operate
- 28-megapixel images not as detailed as some models
The Mayima 645-AFD III is a prosumer 28-megapixel medium format digital and film cross-medium camera. It combines 35mm speed and ease of use with the triple image size of medium formats and features patented TTL auto-focus, auto exposure, auto flash, and auto film winding.
Though it’s a quality full-feature camera, its 6 AA battery power source is less efficient and environmentally friendly than lithium battery packs, and its 28-megapixel resolution is significantly less than many top-of-the-line models. Still, an excellent LCD screen, a wide range of shutter speeds, a safety retraction feature that protects against drop damage, and high build quality make it an excellent value for hobbyists looking to go to the next level of image quality and professionals working in web media.
#10 Leica S (Typ 007) Medium Format Digital Camera
Award: BEST FOR FILMMAKERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Versatile and comfortable to use, its non-low pass filter design and ability to capture high res video make it a great option for filmmakers who need a professional still option, or vice versa.
- Can shoot 4K video
- High-res LCD display
- No Optical Low-Pass Filter
- 37.5-megapixel capture less than some top models
The Lyca S Typ 007 is a medium format digital camera that captures images at a resolution of 37.5 megapixels and can also shoot video at up to 4K resolution at up to 30 FPS, including a 24 FPS setting for a more film-like look. Its wide dynamic range with a shutter speed of up to 15 stops allows for large, high-detail, professional-quality still images, and its high-res LCD display makes it easy to use. But, compare it to the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, which has a shutter speed of under 1.5 seconds.
At 37.5 megapixels, its sensor resolution is lower than the top-performing digital medium format cameras on the market, but still very capable of professional results. Its patented Maestro 2 advanced processor allows for lightning-fast digitization and its comfortable, durable alloy build and high-performance video capture capabilities make it an excellent choice for filmmakers who require professional-grade still camera functionality or vice versa. It’s why we’ve listed it as the best digital camera for filmmaking on this list.
How We Decided
We preferred SLR-format digital or cross-format film cameras/digital cameras (DSLR), like the leading Nikon digital cameras, designed for high-performance, professional settings with high-resolution digital monitors, and a minimum of 50-megapixel resolution CMOS sensors.
We also liked cameras with removable viewfinders, touchscreen LCD displays, directional tilting, and high rigidity but lightweight magnesium or alloy bodies. We also liked modern features like back-illuminated sensors and ergonomic grips for comfortable, safe handling over long shoots.
Finally, we preferred DSLR cameras that created 16-bit images with exceptional color fidelity, shadow detail, and dynamic range for producing lifelike images even after web compression, and lenses, sensors, and processors with microscopic seals that are protected from dust, dirt, wind, and moisture even in the most extreme climates and situations.
Best Medium Format Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Camera System/Lense/Viewfinder Type
Medium-format cameras come in several major types- TWIN LENS REFLEX or TLR, which uses two dedicated lenses- one for the image and one for the viewfinder, Rangefinder, which tend to have more limited focus ranges and smaller mm lenses but are good for point-and-shoot functionality and Viewfinder cameras which include older models and highly specialized cameras like Panoramic cameras. SLRs are the most common and versatile variety, excelling at telephoto, closeup, action, and various other kinds of shots. For this list, we limited our analyses to SLR cameras, namely digital or digital/film SLRs, called DSLRs. - Build
The ideal DSLR medium format camera will feature a lightweight build with high rigidity for high precision and durability. Any professional-grade medium format camera should also be built to seal off delicate and electronic parts like processors, sensors, and lenses from dust, dirt, and moisture. Many of the best DSLR cameras are built using a specialized magnesium alloy, which is very lightweight and durable and allows for easy, comfortable shooting in all shooting conditions. Other alloys and metals are also used that provide lightweight and durable builds but always look carefully at the descriptions. - Processor and Sensor
The key component of any digital camera is its sensor, which determines image size, resolution, low-light performance, depth of field, dynamic range, lenses, and the camera’s physical size. Typical medium format sensors for professional medium format photography tend to be in the 43 x 32mm and at least 50-megapixel range, contrasted with full-frame cameras which are strictly 35mm and are used for both consumer and professional-grade applications. Processors handle computation for the conversion of the signal to data and can vary in design quite a bit- many processors are brand-specific and proprietary, which makes describing the ideal or average processor more difficult. However, product descriptions will generally detail the specifics of a camera’s processor, so look for cameras with processors that are current in their tech specs and up to spec with comparable models.
