Pentax 645D vs Canon 6D

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Pentax 645D vs Canon 6D

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Medium format 1,452.0mm²
40.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 1000

Go in depth with our full Pentax 645D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 645D.

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax 645Z
Compare 645D vs 645Z

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Compare PENTAX 645Z vs CANON 6D MARK II

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Canon 6D

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
More cross-type AF points
11 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
40.0 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 6D advantages over Pentax 645D

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark 645D test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,262 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
71 mm vs 119 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.4 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.4 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
102400 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
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
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

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Adorama
Read 645D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

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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.
Read our Pentax 645D Review

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax 645D

Canon 5D Mark III

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Pentax 645D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Pentax 645D

Nikon D610

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

$1196
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Pentax 645D vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax 645D

Canon 7D Mark II

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Pentax 645D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

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

Compare Pentax 645D vs Leica S2

Canon 6D

Leica S2

$1499
35mm

Lens selection
Built-in Wi-Fi

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon 6D vs Leica S2

Compared to Nikon D600

Pentax 645D

Nikon D600

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

$1900
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645D vs Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

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