Pentax 645D vs Canon 70D

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Pentax 645D vs Canon 70D

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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.

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Compare PENTAX 645Z vs CANON 80D

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Canon 70D

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.06 vs 4.11 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
645D test data on DxO Mark 70D test data on DxO Mark

1,262 vs 926 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.59x
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 70D advantages over Pentax 645D

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
78 mm vs 119 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
19 vs 11
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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
More AF points
19 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
65 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 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

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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 70D User Reviews

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Body Only
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Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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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

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax 645D

Nikon D7100

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Pentax 645D vs Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

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 70D

Leica S2

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D vs Leica S2

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

Compare Pentax 645D vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Canon 70D

Leica S (Typ 006)

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645D

Pentax 645Z

$3599
Medium format

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax 645D vs Pentax 645Z

Canon 70D

Pentax 645Z

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 70D vs Pentax 645Z

Compared to Sony A77 II

Pentax 645D

Sony A77 II

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Pentax 645D vs Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

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