• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 25,000

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

  • Less expensive
    $4694 vs $7595
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 24.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 123 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    680g vs 1555g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
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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

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

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Pentax 645D
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) 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)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) 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)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Pentax 645Z
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7495
  • 35mm

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax 645Z
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

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

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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