As a dedicated photographer for many years, I have used many different cameras: Nikon F-3, Canon 5Ds, Mamiya RZ67, Hasselblad, Sony A7r and others. But the one camera I truly wanted most was a digital medium format. In stepped Pentax with a now affordable answer.

got to love Pentax the sharpness of the picture taken with the 645z are awesome.

I've owned the 645z since February 2015 and my findings are overall very good. As with any high end camera like this, you have to be prepared to do extensive editing to any image for it to look its best. Back in the film days, I was a drum scanner operator at a prepress company.

Let's face it, there aren't many of us out there who can afford to blow £7,699 on a camera and lens, but believe it or not, the 51.4MP Pentax 645Z is an absolute steal at this price.

Ricoh Imaging's Pentax 645Z is a "medium format" digital camera with a 43.8x32.8mm CMOS sensor, 1.66 times the size of a standard full-frame sensor. The sensor features a very high resolution of 51.4MP (8265x6192 pixels) and can record in JPEG and in Pentax's own Raw (PEF) or Adobe DNG format.

On balance then, the Pentax 645Z simply can't be defined by its price tag alone because this pales into insignificance in the light of everything this camera offers for that money. By that test, nothing else on the market – in any sensor format – comes close.

Make no mistake about it, the Pentax 645Z ($8,499.95) from Ricoh Imaging is a serious medium format camera that can go toe-to-toe with vastly more expensive models in terms of image quality.

Captures images at 51-megapixel resolution; Excellent high ISO performance; Speedy response; 2.9fps continuous shooting; 27-point autofocus system; Articulating rear display; Weather-sealed design; Solid control layout; Dual tripod mounts; Optional Wi-Fi via FluCard memory card.

System lacks modern leaf-shutter lenses; Autofocus can struggle with fast moving subjects; Focus points grouped tightly in center of frame; Integrated design lacks versatility of a modular back; So-so video quality; Tethered shooting software not included

Make no mistake about it, the Pentax 645Z ($8,499.95) from Ricoh Imaging is a serious medium format camera that can go toe-to-toe with vastly more expensive models in terms of image quality. It uses the same image sensor as the Phase One IQ250 and Editors' Choice Mamiya Leaf Credo 50 , but while both of those products are modular backs that can be used with medium format and large format technical cameras alike, the 645Z offers a more refined shooting experience that comes with an integrated sensor and body design.The Pentax does has some shortcomings as a studio camera, notably the lack of modern leaf-shutter lenses with which to pair it, but its image quality is just as good as the competing models that cost more than $25,000, and its autofocus system far surpasses that of the 645DF+ body that the Mamiya and Phase One offerings are most often paired. When you factor in its price, it's an easy pick as our Editors' Choice for medium format systems. If your workflow does require a...

The Pentax 645Z offers the incredible resolution and large sensor of a medium format system at a price that's a third that of the competition. It's an easy pick for our medium format Editors' Choice camera.

Captures images at 51-megapixel resolution; Excellent high ISO performance; Speedy response; 2.9fps continuous shooting; 27-point autofocus system; Articulating rear display; Weather-sealed design; Solid control layout; Dual tripod mounts; Optional Wi-Fi via FluCard memory card; 1080p video and 4K time-lapse; Competitive price point

System lacks modern leaf-shutter lenses; Autofocus can struggle with fast moving subjects; Focus points grouped tightly in center of frame; Integrated design lacks versatility of a modular back; So-so video quality; Tethered shooting software not included

This camera is incredible. From the moment of the first shutter slap to the last set of images downloaded, the 645z has continued to perform better than anything I've ever used. I shoot mainly landscapes, with Pentax's new medium format system I can achieve results I was never able to before.

Although the Pentax 645Z medium format DSLR has been out for a few years, I only had a chance to try it out earlier this year, during my trip to Death Valley. I have been wanting to try the 645Z for quite some time, since I heard so many good things about it.