Pentax Japan has delayed the launch of its 645D medium format digital camera, blaming ?high demand?.

The firm had planned to release the camera onto the Japanese market yesterday but has put back the launch until 11 June because orders exceeded supplies.

It is still not clear whether the camera, which features a 40-million-pixel Kodak-made imaging sensor, will go on sale in the UK.

The 645D has been beset by delays and uncertainty since a mocked-up version was first displayed at a trade show in Japan more than five years ago.

Meanwhile, Pentax Japan has posted the first images taken with the 645D on its website.

READ ALL OUR STORIES ABOUT THE PENTAX 645D HERE