Pentax has confirmed that its 645D medium format digital camera will go on sale at the end of next month.

Pentax has brought forward the availability of the camera which had been scheduled to go on sale in the UK in December, according to a statement released by the firm last week.

The camera has been available in Japan for some time while Pentax decided whether to extend sales to other parts of the world.

The 40-million-pixel camera features a 44x33mm imaging sensor, and is compatible with lenses from the previous Pentax 645 film camera system.

The body on its own is set to go on sale for £8,999.99, while a kit with the new DFA 55mm 645 SDM lens will cost around £9,999.99.