Pentax 645D vs Sigma fp L

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Pentax 645D vs Sigma fp L

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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
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp L Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp L.

Succeeded by the Pentax 645Z
Compare 645D vs 645Z
Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sigma fp L

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Sigma fp L

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 6.06 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 240 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher max flash sync
1/125 vs 1/15 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
19 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp L advantages over Pentax 645D

Less expensive
$2499 vs $9996 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Thinner
45 mm vs 119 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 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
427g vs 1480g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
2100k vs 921k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
61.0 vs 40.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 645D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read fp L User Reviews

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Pentax 645D

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Buy the Sigma fp L

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sigma fp L, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sigma fp L Shooter's Report

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

Sigma fp L

Leica S2

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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)

Sigma fp L

Leica S (Typ 006)

$2499
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Pentax 645Z

$2499
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Pentax 645Z

Compared to Sigma fp

Pentax 645D

Sigma fp

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1480
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645D vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

$2499
35mm

Newer
More pixels

$1480
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax 645D

Sony A7C

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Top deck display

$1598
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax 645D vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L

Sony A7C

$2499
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

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