• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Nikon D780

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 24.5 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D780 advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Less expensive
    $2097 vs $4694*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    76 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
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    840g vs 1555g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More AF points
    51 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
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon D780
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens
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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

Nikon D780
Pentax 645D
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D780 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)

Nikon D780
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax 645Z
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax 645Z
Pentax K-1 II
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

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