Pentax 645D vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Pentax 645D vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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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 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Compare PENTAX 645Z vs LEICA SL2

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

800 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
40.0 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Pentax 645D

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
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
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.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark 645D test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 1,262 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 119 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
9 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
Lighter weight
847g vs 1480g
Lighter weight
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
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 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
10.5 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 16 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
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
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

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

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

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

Compare Pentax 645D vs Leica S2

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica S2

$3807
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) 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)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica S (Typ 006)

$3807
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) 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

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax 645Z

$3807
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Pentax 645Z

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax 645D

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3599
Medium format

Rear display
Larger sensor

$5995
35mm

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax 645D vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3807
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Pentax 645D

Sony A9

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$2997
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax 645D vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3807
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

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