JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
  • Home
  • Portugal 2023
  • About
  • Gallery
    • This Was STC Santorini 2023
    • This Was STC Miami 2021
    • This Was STC Santorini 2018
    • This Was STC Miami 2016
    • This Was STC Santorini 2015
    • This Was STC Miami 2015 – Temple House
    • This Was STC Miami 2014
    • This Was STC L.A. 2013
    • This Was STC Bahamas 2013
    • This Was Miami – STC Oct 13-14, 2012 Seminar / Workshop
    • This Was STC Miami 2012
    • This Was STC Vegas 2011 – 2
    • This Was STC Vegas 2011 – 1
    • This Was Miami 2011
  • Model Search
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

Do High Megapixel DSLRs Pose a Threat to Medium Format Cameras?

Posted on: 09-19-2015 Posted in: Photography

Ricoh, the parent company of Pentax, has announced a loose release date of their full-frame DSLR. The camera’s name is yet to be released. According to their teaser page the camera is due to debut in spring of 2016. Since not much in the way of specific details has been released yet, the rumors are flying about the possibilities.

pentax568Full frame Pentax  |  2016 Spring Debut

The common feeling seems to be the new full frame DSLR will likely contain a Sony sensor but even the speculators don’t know whether it will be the 36 megapixel sensor or the new 42 megapixel sensor featured in the a7r II.

iPad--ad-290

The megapixel wars are certainly heating up though Nikon has been oddly silent (the rumors are they will be announcing their D5 either later this year or early 2016). With all the soon-to-be-released capabilities of the cameras announced by Canon and now Pentax, what is the fate of medium format cameras?

Manufacturers like Phase One and Hasselblad have been making high quality medium format cameras for years but the price tags have made them out of reach for most people who aren’t high-earning professional photographers.

Though the much larger medium format sensors are able to capture images in the 40 to 80 megapixel range depending on the camera, does the image quality justify the much higher price tag?

XF_G_1-IQ3-80MP-80mmLS-front-568Phase One XF Camera System

Both David LaChapelle (most currently known for his latest nude pictorial of Pamela Anderson for Flaunt Magazine) and landscape photographer Peter Lik and our own Jarmo Pohjaniemi swear by them. LaChapelle offers a simple reason why he uses his medium format over a traditional DSLR, “I use Phase One because it’s the best. I just can’t afford not to.” Peter Lik has captured images that have fetched record-breaking sales numbers with his medium formats.

phantomLik568Phantom was sold for $6.5 million making it the most expensive photograph ever sold

The hype surrounding manufacturers cramming more and more megapixels into their sensors could easily lead a consumer to believe that a higher pixel count translates to a higher quality image. The reality is that this is not necessarily true. Pixel counts are only part of the quality equation. Other factors such as color accuracy, sharpness, dynamic range and noise, just to name a few, all contribute to the overall quality of the final image. Although DSLR sensors are becoming increasingly able to capture higher resolution images, I don’t believe the professionals will be abandoning their medium format systems anytime soon.

– Doug Hill

shop-stc-click-pointer-2-568STC-LA-seminar-568-banner

© 2015 Copyright ShootTheCenterfold.com. All rights reserved.

  • Popular Posts
  • Related Posts
  • Write for us sponsored posts
    Write for us sponsored posts
  • Learning how to take the best photography
    Learning how to take the best photography
  • Sarah Lyons - From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model
    Sarah Lyons - From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model
  • How Your Photography Portfolio Can Help You Avoid Rejection
    How Your Photography Portfolio Can Help You Avoid Rejection
  • Sarah Lyons - From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model
    Sarah Lyons – From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model
  • How Your Photography Portfolio Can Help You Avoid Rejection
    How Your Photography Portfolio Can Help You Avoid Rejection
  • Hand Gestures: What do I do with my Hands?
    Hand Gestures: What do I do with my Hands?
  • The STC Graduates and Where are They Today? (Part 1)
    The STC Graduates and Where are They Today? (Part 1)
  • (2) Comments
  • (0) Trackbacks
  1. Russ09-19-15

    “Soon” is a relative term, A bit like Peter Lik and others stating they would only ever use film. I would also bet Phase One is also hoping it won’t be “Soon” and are aware that Nikon, Sony, Canon are out there actively working on sensors and not just in the Megapixels department. As evident in the latest reviews like DPReview who I quote:
    “Our preliminary Raw dynamic range analyses indicate that Canon’s new 50MP resolution cameras bring not only a whole lot of resolution to the table, but also some increases in dynamic range over its predecessors.”
    Who would have thought a DSLR could upset the professional Video/Film manufacture market going back less than ten years.
    PS The lik photo ‘Phantom / Ghost” was shot on film circa 2007 and didn’t even score well @ the 2007 Australian Professional Photography Awards for AIPP – Image: Ghost, Award: Silver With Distinction.

    (reply)
  2. Bill09-22-15

    Sadly, while Nikon, Canon and Fuji continue this megapixel race. Wonder why they never developed a lighting system beyond the simple flash & hotshoe. They could notch up their advertising and show customers what their missing. Then of course go look at the 4K resolution at Wal-Mart up close and wonder what 8k or 32k will look like in the days ahead. What’s the pixel resolution for 35mm? Say are you guys going to slip down to Key West for Fantasy Fest ? Yea, I know it’s a joke… But, the grilled chicken sandwiches at the Hogs Breath Saloon are pretty fair as is the Snapper at the Half Shell Raw Bar. Though, if those are packed try the Harbor Lights Resturant, upstairs too. Oh, Imagine if Nikon or Canon showed up to test their lighting systems at such a colorful event as we know nothing exotic is going to show up down there.

    (reply)

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Twitter Feed

    Twitter not configured.

Archives

  • February 2025
  • August 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • April 2022
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • September 2010

Search Blog

Recent Posts

  • Write for us sponsored posts Write for us sponsored posts
    02-20-2025
  • Learning how to take the best photography Learning how to take the best photography
    02-20-2025
  • Sarah Lyons - From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model Sarah Lyons - From STC Attendee to FHM Cover Model
    08-17-2023

Popular Posts

Every photographer has a story to tell …
© 2011-2023 Shoot The Centerfold. All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Customer Support
  • Ordering Details FAQ
  • Payment Methods
  • Return Policy FAQ
  • License Agreement
TwitterStumbleUponRedditDiggdel.icio.usFacebookLinkedIn