In a medical imaging apparatus and method for operation thereof, data acquisition protocols are stored, each containing data acquisition parameters of the medical imaging apparatus that define a data acquisition operation. In the event of an update, which changes the possible setting scope for data acquisition parameters, of at least one software and/or hardware component of the medical imaging apparatus to a current equipment version, and/or in the event of the input of a data acquisition protocol not defined for the current equipment version, a set of rules is applied to all protocols not defined for the current equipment version. The rules include at least one adaptation rule for at least one data acquisition parameter, which rule, when applicable, increases at least one quality measure for image data recorded using the data acquisition protocol to which the adaptation rule is applied.