Pentax 645Z vs Nikon D5

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Pentax 645Z vs Nikon D5

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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 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon D6

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Nikon D5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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 D5 test data on DxO Mark

4,505 vs 2,343 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
645Z test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

14.7 vs 12.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.72x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
51.4 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax 645Z

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$3325 vs $4694
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 5.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

3780 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
92 mm vs 123 mm
Thinner
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More AF points
153 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
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
12.1 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read 645Z User Reviews

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Adorama
Read D5 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

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 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

Nikon D5

Pentax 645D

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D5 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)

Nikon D5

Leica S (Typ 006)

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D5 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax 645Z

Nikon D4S

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$5399
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4911
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

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)

Nikon D5

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax 645Z

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4845
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$2999
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4911
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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