Exciting news for Pentax, as it announced the release of its very first medium format camera. The Pentax 645D is the Japanese company’s first medium format digital camera which features a 40 mega-pixel, 44 x 33 CCD sensor. The camera will be available this May at a reasonable US$9,400 price tag.

The Pentax 645D is reasonably priced for a medium format digital camera, as the same class of camera like Mamiya’s can cost a hefty US$22,000. However the medium format’s quality has yet to be reviewed.

According to Pentax it has developed the 645D to simplify professional level shooting especially for photographers and hobbyist who specialize in landscape and outdoor photography.

“The PENTAX 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors — something previously available only on professional models — to serious landscape and outdoor photographers. It combines exceptional image quality with excellent maneuverability and outstanding reliability to simplify professional-level outdoor shooting” said Pentax in a press release statement.

It is dubbed by professional photographers (who have conflicting opinions about the 645D release) as the ‘first amateur medium-format digital camera’.

The Pentax 645D is similar to an old film body, squarish with an easy grip. The medium format uses SD cards as well as compact flash memory card which is convenient and a cheap option. Features of the 645 D include an in-camera HDR mode which can combine three images into one.

Pentax also released the accompanying smc D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW lens. This is the first lens in Pentax’s D FA 645 lens series. The Pentax medium format lens is a weather-resistant prime lens which features a Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) autofocus drive and Quick-Shift for instant AF/MF switching. It is Pentax’s first 645 system lens to incorporate a rounded diaphragm. The 55mm lens will be available alongside the 645D camera to be sold for US1,000.

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