• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Leica S3

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.31 vs 4.59 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    27 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    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 123 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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 51.4 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Leica S3

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 S3
Pentax 645D
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

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

Compare Leica S3 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 S3
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S3 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax 645Z
Canon 5DS R
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Canon 5DS R

Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax 645Z
Pentax K-1
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-1

Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

Compare Other Cameras?