What is a Medium Format camera?
Medium format has traditionally referred to a film format in still photography and the related cameras and equipment that use film.
Nowadays, the term applies to film and digital cameras that record images on media larger than 24 mm × 36 mm (0.94 in × 1.42 in) (full-frame) (used in 35 mm (1.4 in) photography), but smaller than 4 in × 5 in (100 mm × 130 mm) (which is considered to be large-format photography).
Medium format is any camera format that makes use of the 120 film size or utilizes a digital imaging sensor that mimics that size. This format captures images that are slightly smaller than the large format film size (102x127mm) but are much bigger than those taken using full-frame sensors or 135 film.
There is no standard size for medium format and it normally varies between manufacturers.
Characteristics and Uses of Medium Format Camera
- Modern medium format cameras usually have very high megapixel count, i.e. more 50MP.
- Due to physically larger sensor size compared to full frame cameras, image quality usually surpasses that of an image produced by a full frame camera.
- Photo-sites on sensor are physically larger and gather more light.
- Due to increased light gathering capabilities, medium format cameras have superior noise performance at high ISOs when compared to APS-C and full frame cameras.
- Due to larger sensor sizes, these cameras require special lenses which can cover the whole image area.
- Cropping factor of less than 1 is used to calculate effective field of view.
- Dynamic range is usually superior to that of full frame cameras.
- Medium format cameras produce shallower depth of field when compared to full frame DSLRs.
- Medium format cameras still offer slower frame rates than DSLRs but offer a high degree of customizability. One can even interchange between film and digital backs to suit their needs.
- Medium format cameras usually find their use in high-end fashion, advertising, landscape and other commercial photography genres.
