• Medium format 1,452.0mm2
  • 40.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1000
  • Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

Buy From

Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax 645Z advantages over Pentax 645D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    4,505 vs 1,262 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.7 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 11
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 40.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    27 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    3.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Very high-resolution 40-megapixel sensor; Plentiful controls with great placement; Excellent optical viewfinder; Dual SDHC card slots; Infrared remote sensors front and back.

  • High price tag; Aliasing artifacts; Produces ~70MB RAW files.

  • Phenomenal resolution and detail; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, weather-sealed body; Huge, bright viewfinder; Fast autofocus works well in low light; Swift performance for a medium-format camera; Good battery life; Shoots Full HD video

  • Quite bulky compared to an APS-C or full-frame DSLR; Autofocus points clustered near center of frame; Most lenses aren't weather-sealed or optimized for digital; Prone to aliasing artifacts (but so are most high-end cameras these days); Attracts a lot of attention from passers-by

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Pentax 645D
Nikon D3X
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax 645Z
Nikon D3X
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica S2

Pentax 645D
Leica S2
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Pentax 645Z
Leica S2
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax 645D
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Pentax 645Z
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax 645D
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Pentax 645Z
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax 645D
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
Pentax 645Z
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
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