Medium Format
Medium format describes sensors and film sizes physically larger than full frame's 36x24mm — spanning a genuinely wide range, from the comparatively accessible 44x33mm digital sensor used in Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X bodies, up through the larger 54x40mm digital format, and multiple classic film sizes like 6x6, 6x7 and 645.
Because these sensors are larger than full frame, their crop factor runs below 1.0 — matching a given full-frame field of view needs a longer, not shorter, real focal length, the opposite direction from every crop-sensor format. That longer real focal length typically produces shallower depth of field than full frame at matched framing, the classic 'medium format look' photographers seek this format out for specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medium format always better than full frame?
Not universally — it offers real resolution, dynamic range and depth-of-field advantages, at real costs in size, weight, price and typically slower autofocus, making it the right choice for specific deliberate work rather than a strict upgrade for every situation.
What's the difference between the two common digital medium-format sizes?
The 44x33mm size (Fujifilm GFX, Hasselblad X) is the more compact, accessible tier; the larger 54x40mm size (Hasselblad H, Phase One) sits in a considerably more expensive, studio-focused professional tier above it.