Pentax 645Z vs Canon EOS R

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Pentax 645Z vs Canon EOS R

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Medium format 1,436.6mm²
51.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax 645Z Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax 645Z in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 645Z.
Compare Pentax 645Z image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax 645Z conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Canon EOS R

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
645Z test data on DxO Mark EOS R test data on DxO Mark

4,505 vs 2,742 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

650 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
51.4 vs 30.3 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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS R advantages over Pentax 645Z

Less expensive
$2499 vs $4694*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
84 mm vs 123 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
126 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 645Z User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax 645Z

Body Only

All 645Z Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

All EOS R Deals

Review Excerpt

Phenomenal resolution and detail; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, weather-sealed body; Huge, bright viewfinder; Fast autofocus works well in low light; Swift performance for a medium-format camera; Good battery life; Shoots Full HD video
Quite bulky compared to an APS-C or full-frame DSLR; Autofocus points clustered near center of frame; Most lenses aren't weather-sealed or optimized for digital; Prone to aliasing artifacts (but so are most high-end cameras these days); Attracts a lot of attention from passers-by
Read our Pentax 645Z Review

Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645D

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$3599
Medium format

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Pentax 645D

Canon EOS R

Pentax 645D

$1499
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax 645Z

Leica S (Typ 006)

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$10535
Medium format

Thinner
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Canon EOS R

Leica S (Typ 006)

$1499
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon EOS R vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax 645Z

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$16900
Medium format

Built-in GPS
Thinner

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Canon EOS R

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Built-in GPS

Compare Canon EOS R vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon Z7

Pentax 645Z

Nikon Z7

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Nikon Z6

Pentax 645Z

Nikon Z6

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z6

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