The best medium format cameras
Medium format cameras are the imaging tools of choice for professional and enthusiast photographers who are looking for ultimate image quality. MF cameras are equipped with sensors that are substantially bigger than those found on full-frame cameras (or 35mm film). These large sensors make it possible to provide very high resolution, wide dynamic range, and a very well refined color balance. MF cameras used to be relatively bulky and, hence, predestined to be used in static settings, such as for studio or landscape photography, but several manufacturers have recently released models that are relatively compact and easier to take along than their predecessors.
There is a wide and growing choice of medium format cameras on the market. It is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best medium format? The camera that offers the best imaging experience? The one with the highest sensor resolution? The one that is most portable? The medium format camera that does not break the bank? The answers to these questions come down to personal preference, but hopefully the listings below will prove to be useful for your camera decision process.
The highest rated medium format cameras
The Camera Elo represents a comprehensive rating that takes the body, sensor and feature characteristics of digital cameras into account. It is based on the outcomes of thousands of pair-wise comparisons undertaken via the CAM-parator app.
The Fujifilm GFX 100 II is currently the top-ranked medium format camera with a Camera Elo of 3228, followed in second place by the Hasselblad X2D 100C with a rating of 3047. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked medium format cameras in descending order of their Elo. It also reports the cameras' DXO Mark sensor quality score, which can be taken as indicators of pure image quality. For both the Camera Elo and the DXO score, higher values represent better performance.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fujifilm GFX 100 II | Fujifilm G | 3228 | 101 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | 8K/30p | Sep 2023 | 7,499 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Hasselblad X2D 100C | Hasselblad XCD | 3047 | 101 | Mirrorless | 102.1 | - | Sep 2022 | 8,199 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm GFX 100S | Fujifilm G | 3031 | 100 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | 4K/30p | Jan 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 50S II | Fujifilm G | 2997 | 100 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2021 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm GFX 100 | Fujifilm G | 2841 | 99 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | 4K/30p | May 2019 | 9,999 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D II | Hasselblad XCD | 2812 | 99 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | 1080/25p | Jun 2019 | 5,750 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | Fujifilm G | 2693 | 98 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2018 | 4,499 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Leica S3 | Leica S | 2544 | 98 | DSLR | 64.0 | 4K/24p | Sep 2018 | 18,995 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | Fujifilm G | 2511 | 96 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2016 | 6,499 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Hasselblad X1D | Hasselblad XCD | 2282 | 102 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | 1080/25p | Jun 2016 | 8,995 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
You can access more detail on the listed cameras by clicking on the camera's name. Alternatively, you can compare two medium format cameras using the search boxes below. Just enter two model names into the input fields and you will promptly be taken to a respective comparison.
The highest resolution medium format cameras
Perhaps your primary aim is to capture images with great detail, for example in landscape photography, or to have the ability to crop images heavily in post processing while still maintaining good image quality. In this case, the best medium format camera might be the one with the highest sensor resolution. The following table lists the 10 medium format cameras with the highest megapixel count. Again, clicking on the camera's name will reveal further detail.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hasselblad X2D 100C | Hasselblad XCD | 102.1 | 3047 | 101 | Mirrorless | - | Sep 2022 | 8,199 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Fujifilm GFX 100 II | Fujifilm G | 101.8 | 3228 | 101 | Mirrorless | 8K/30p | Sep 2023 | 7,499 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm GFX 100S | Fujifilm G | 101.8 | 3031 | 100 | Mirrorless | 4K/30p | Jan 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100 | Fujifilm G | 101.8 | 2841 | 99 | Mirrorless | 4K/30p | May 2019 | 9,999 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Leica S3 | Leica S | 64.0 | 2544 | 98 | DSLR | 4K/24p | Sep 2018 | 18,995 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D II | Hasselblad XCD | 51.3 | 2812 | 99 | Mirrorless | 1080/25p | Jun 2019 | 5,750 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Hasselblad X1D | Hasselblad XCD | 51.3 | 2282 | 102 | Mirrorless | 1080/25p | Jun 2016 | 8,995 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Fujifilm GFX 50S II | Fujifilm G | 51.1 | 2997 | 100 | Mirrorless | 1080/30p | Sep 2021 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | Fujifilm G | 51.1 | 2693 | 98 | Mirrorless | 1080/30p | Sep 2018 | 4,499 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | Fujifilm G | 51.1 | 2511 | 96 | Mirrorless | 1080/30p | Sep 2016 | 6,499 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
The most portable medium format cameras
A well-known proverb states that the best camera is the one that you have with you. As such, a smaller and lighter camera will likely get more use than a bulkier and heavier model. The table below lists the 10 lightest medium format cameras in ascending order of their weight.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Weight |
Camera Size |
Camera Elo |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hasselblad X1D | Hasselblad XCD | 725 g | 150 x 98 x 71 g | 2282 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | Jun 2016 | 8,995 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | Fujifilm G | 740 g | 148 x 94 x 91 g | 2511 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | Sep 2016 | 6,499 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Hasselblad X1D II | Hasselblad XCD | 766 g | 148 x 97 x 70 g | 2812 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | Jun 2019 | 5,750 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | Fujifilm G | 775 g | 161 x 97 x 66 g | 2693 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | Sep 2018 | 4,499 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Hasselblad X2D 100C | Hasselblad XCD | 895 g | 149 x 106 x 75 g | 3047 | Mirrorless | 102.1 | Sep 2022 | 8,199 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Fujifilm GFX 100S | Fujifilm G | 900 g | 150 x 104 x 87 g | 3031 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | Jan 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Fujifilm GFX 50S II | Fujifilm G | 900 g | 150 x 104 x 87 g | 2997 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | Sep 2021 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Fujifilm GFX 100 II | Fujifilm G | 1030 g | 152 x 117 x 99 g | 3228 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | Sep 2023 | 7,499 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Leica S3 | Leica S | 1260 g | 160 x 120 x 80 g | 2544 | DSLR | 64.0 | Sep 2018 | 18,995 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Leica S Typ 007 | Leica S | 1260 g | 160 x 120 x 80 g | 2174 | DSLR | 37.5 | Sep 2014 | 24,490 | ebay.com |
The most affordable medium format cameras
A camera is only as good as the lens that is placed in front of its sensor. Thus, the best medium format is one that leaves room enough in the budget to purchase a high quality lens to go with it. More generally, budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, so that the following listing should be of interest. It displays the 10 least expensive medium format cameras in ascending order of their launch prices (camera only). The latter provide a good idea on the market position of the cameras, but it is often worthwhile to check the current pricing, as all except the most recent models might be available at discounts or as great deals on the pre-owned market.
| Camera Model |
Lens Mount |
Launch Price (USD) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format | Camera Launch | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fujifilm GFX 50S II | Fujifilm G | 3,999 | 2997 | 100 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2021 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Fujifilm GFX 50R | Fujifilm G | 4,499 | 2693 | 98 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2018 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Hasselblad X1D II | Hasselblad XCD | 5,750 | 2812 | 99 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | 1080/25p | Jun 2019 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100S | Fujifilm G | 5,999 | 3031 | 100 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | 4K/30p | Jan 2021 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm GFX 50S | Fujifilm G | 6,499 | 2511 | 96 | Mirrorless | 51.1 | 1080/30p | Sep 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Fujifilm GFX 100 II | Fujifilm G | 7,499 | 3228 | 101 | Mirrorless | 101.8 | 8K/30p | Sep 2023 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Hasselblad X2D 100C | Hasselblad XCD | 8,199 | 3047 | 101 | Mirrorless | 102.1 | - | Sep 2022 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Pentax 645Z | Pentax 645 | 8,499 | 2030 | 101 | DSLR | 51.1 | 1080/60i | Apr 2014 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Hasselblad X1D | Hasselblad XCD | 8,995 | 2282 | 102 | Mirrorless | 51.3 | 1080/25p | Jun 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Pentax 645D | Pentax 645 | 9,995 | 1570 | 82 | DSLR | 39.5 | - | Mar 2010 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Further Reading
Additional information on the calculation of the Camera Elo can be found on a respective Elo methodology page. Moreover, there are other rankings of cameras by category that might be of interest:
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