• Medium format 1,452.0mm2
  • 40.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1000
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Leica S3

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.06 vs 4.59 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More cross-type AF points
    11 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More AF points
    11 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax 645D

  • Less expensive
    $19 vs $9996 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    80 mm vs 119 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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 viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.78x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 40.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 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
  • 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
  • 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.

The Competition

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
Leica S3
Leica S2
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Bigger pixels

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
Leica S3
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645D
Pentax 645Z
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica S3
Pentax 645Z
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax 645D
Canon 5DS R
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax 645D
Pentax K-1
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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