Pentax 645Z vs Leica SL2

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Pentax 645Z vs Leica SL2

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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
47.3 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Leica SL2

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.31 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2 advantages over Pentax 645Z

Less expensive
$2875 vs $4694
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
5K vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
42 mm vs 123 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
928g vs 1555g
Lighter weight
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
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 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
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 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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read 645Z User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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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

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

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 SL2

Pentax 645D

$5222
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 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 SL2

Leica S (Typ 006)

$5222
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 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 SL2

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$5222
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon Z7

Pentax 645Z

Nikon Z7

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2064
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z7

Leica SL2

Nikon Z7

$5222
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2064
35mm

Tiltable Screen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Sony A1

Pentax 645Z

Sony A1

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$5498
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$5222
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

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