Curiosity: Two new medium format cameras leaked (using the Sony’s 102MP sensor)
Recently I leaked the first image of the new FujiFilm GFX100RF (my video is here) and of the Hasselblad X2DII (my video is here). Both will use the well known Sony 102Mp sensor.
And this once more reminds of the fact, that I would love Sony making a medium format system camera too. And if patents are any indications than if Sony would go medium format they would really do it differently than competition:
- BIG and REAL Medium format sensor:
Most of Sony’s patent show that they use the larger 53.5mmx 40mm size sensor with 0,65 crop factor. This is larger than the current Fuji GFX sensor (44x30mm, 1.7 larger than FF and 0,79 crop) - CURVED (patents here)
Usually larger sensor means larger lenses too. But in most of the Sony patents we see the camera suing a curved sensor. This allows the lenses to be much smaller because they don’t need additional glass to correct for distortion. And it allows to get the same sharpness all across the frame. The f/2.8 (FF equivalent f/1.7) lenses are barely larger than Full frame f/1.4 primes. - FAST LENSES:
The patented lenses are all primes with f/2.8 aperture. This is equivalent to f/1.7 in Full Frame terms.
Final take:
But I think the curved sensor tech is still far out and if Sony would go medium format now they would use the regular flat sensors. Their latest sensor for the 53x40mm sensor size have 150MP and 250MP resolution. For the 44x30mm sensor size sonny released a new 126MP global shutter sensor. Still, so far I got no indication Sony plans to enter the medium format world.
In my opinion, they should do it because it would open up a new mounting system for them to develop potentially exciting cameras and lenses that they can sell at a higher margin than full frame. What are your thoughts on this?