Pentax launches 40MP medium format DSLR camera

Posted on 11 Mar 2010 at 13:22

Pentax has finally taken the wraps off its latest medium format digital SLR camera, and if you like resolution you'll find plenty of it here: the 645D is equipped with a 40 megapixel medium format sensor.

Designed to sit at the top-end of the market, the new Pentax 654D is equipped with a 44x33mm Kodak image sensor capable of taking snaps at a whopping 40 megapixels, which means a top-end resolution of 7,264x5,440.

Pentax has tried hard to make the 645D stand proud amongst the top-end digital SLR cameras on the market, with a tough magnesium alloy body described by the company as being "[i]dustproof [and] weather resistant[/i]" along with a reinforced glass-covered 3in LCD screen on the rear.

Storage is catered for by a paid of SDHC memory slots with the option to either use the second slot when the first card is full or to mirror the images on to both cards - a handy feature if you're worried about a high-capacity memory card failing at the end of a long session.

With such a large sensor power draw is always an issue: something Pentax clearly had in mind when designing the camera, as the 645D comes with an in-built lithium-ion battery capable of taking 800 shots per charge - with no option to take traditional disposable batteries in its place.

Sadly, Pentax has yet to confirm a UK release for the 645D. Camera fans looking to get their hands on one will have to travel to Japan, where it will set them back 850,000 Yen (around £6,300).

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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