Editing Medium format (section)

== Digital medium format ==
[[Digital photography]] came to the medium-format world with the development of [[digital camera backs]], which can be fitted to many system cameras. Digital backs are a type of [[camera back]] that have [[charge-coupled device|electronic sensors]] in them, effectively converting a camera into a [[digital camera]]. These backs are used predominantly by professional photographers. As with film, due to the increased size of the imaging chip (up to twice that of a 35&nbsp;mm film frame, and thus as much as 40 times the size of the chip in a typical pocket [[point-and-shoot camera]]) they deliver more [[pixel]]s than consumer-grade cameras, and have lower noise. Features like fan cooling also improve the image quality of studio models.

This market began in 1992 when [[Leaf (Israeli company)|Leaf Systems Inc]]. released their first digital camera back (4 [[Megapixels]]), named the "DCB" (often described as 'a brick'). Initially mounted on Sinar Studio cameras, the camera backs were later moved to medium-format units. By the late 1990s, a number of companies produced digital camera backs of various types.

In the 2000s, the number of vendors of both high-end medium-format camera systems and digital backs began to decrease. The performance of digital SLRs cut into the sale of film-based medium-format systems, while the tremendous development expenses for medium-format digital systems meant that not all vendors could profitably compete. [[Contax]] and [[Bronica]] ceased production of cameras, [[Kodak]] stopped making their DCS series of backs, and camera and back manufacturers began to integrate.

Camera maker Hasselblad merged with digital imaging firm [[Imacon]] and partnered with [[Fujifilm|Fuji]] to design and produce a new line of digital-friendly medium-format cameras, the H-Series. Since the manufacturer plans to sell digital backs integrated with the camera, other makers of digital backs are far less likely to be able to sell backs for this camera.

Camera maker [[Mamiya]] developed the 22MP Mamiya ZD in 2004, the first ever medium format DSLR. It also developed a ZD digital back but announced a partnership with back maker [[Phase One (company)|Phase One]]. Camera maker [[Sinar]] was taken over in stages by the digital camera back manufacturer and developer [[Jenoptik]], and partnered with [[Rollei]] for the development of the Hy6 medium-format camera systems. [[Rollei|DHW Fototechnik]] presented at [[photokina 2012]] an updated version of the Hy6, called the Hy6 Mod2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2012/09/rolleiflex-unveils-new-fx-n-tlr-film-hy6-mod2-medium-format-cameras-electronic-shutter|title=Rolleiflex Unveils New FX-N TLR Film, Hy6 Mod2 Medium Format Cameras|work=Popular Photography|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en}}</ref>

The Leaf Aptus 75S digital back offers 33MP resolution, with a shooting speed of 50 frames a minute. In early 2006 Hasselblad (H2D and H3D) and Phase One (P45) released a 39 megapixel back. In 2008, Phase One announced the P65+, a 60 megapixel back, the highest resolution single-shot digital back at that time (2008). Phase One continues to dominate high end non-interpolated imaging with the largest market share.  <!-- This sentence fragment makes no sense-- Line up of scan backs like the PowerPhase FX+ through to the latest P45+ which also has live image focusing.  -->[[Sinar]] continues to provide its primary Digital View Camera system while still supporting the HY6 medium format with a new platform independent eSprit 65 LV digital camera back. On 20 September 2010, [[Leaf (Israeli company)|Leaf]] released a 80MP digital back, the Aptus-II 12.<ref>{{cite web| date=20 September 2010 |url=http://www.leaf-photography.com/products_aptus212.asp |title=Leaf Aptus-II 12 digital camera back |publisher= [[Leaf (Israeli company)|Leaf Imaging Ltd]]}}</ref> The Leaf Aptus-II 12's sensor size of 53.7&nbsp;mm × 40.3&nbsp;mm is 92% of the area of a 56&nbsp;mm × 41.5&nbsp;mm standard-sized 6 × 4.5 frame, 69% of a 56&nbsp;mm × 56&nbsp;mm square-sized 6 × 6 frame, and 45% of the area of a 56&nbsp;mm × 84&nbsp;mm 6 × 9 frame.

Introduced in December 2010, the [[Pentax 645D]] is a 40 megapixel medium-format DSLR. The camera has a 44×33&nbsp;mm image sensor and the raw file is in DNG format. It is the first digital version of the company's 645 medium-format camera system and it is compatible with the existing 645 system lenses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645d/feature.html|title=645D : Products {{!}} RICOH IMAGING|last=LTD.|first=RICOH IMAGING COMPANY|website=ricoh-imaging.co.jp|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref>

In early 2014, the first Medium format cameras with a CMOS sensor instead of a [[Charge-coupled device#Color cameras|CCD sensor]] were introduced by Phase One and Hasselblad. This sensor type gives better image quality mainly in High ISO with a [[dynamic range]] of up to 14 f-stops. Phase One and Hasselblad used the same 50MP CMOS sensor made by [[Sony]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/24/phase-one-announces-iq250-50mp-cmos-medium-format-back?ref=title_5 |title=Phase One announces IQ250 50MP CMOS medium-format back |date=24 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/21/hasselblad-replaces-ceo-announces-50mp-cmos-medium-format-camera?ref=title_7 |title=Hasselblad replaces CEO, announces 50MP CMOS medium-format camera |date=21 January 2014}}</ref> Similarly, the [[Pentax 645Z]] uses a 51 MP CMOS sensor.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=CMOS DEF |magazine=Popular Photography |date=July 2014 |volume=78 |issue=7 |page=18}}</ref>

[[Fujifilm]] started its [[Fujifilm GFX series|GFX series]] of medium format digital cameras with the introduction of 50MP [[Fujifilm GFX 50S|GFX 50S]] model released in January 2017, and as of mid 2024 has seven cameras in the GFX lineup, including three 51 MP models and four 102MP models.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Hannah Rooke |date=2022-01-22 |title=Fujifilm celebrates five years of bringing medium format cameras to the masses |url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/fujifilm-celebrates-five-years-of-bringing-medium-format-cameras-to-the-masses |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=digitalcameraworld |language=en}}</ref><ref name=digitalcameraworld.com--Review>{{cite web |access-date=2024-05-19 |date=16 May 2024 |title=Fujifilm GFX 100S II hands-on review: a light refinement of a medium format favorite |url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/fujifilm-gfx-100s-ii-review |website=Digital Camera World}}</ref>