Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z7

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Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z7

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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
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z7 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z7.
Compare Nikon Z7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon Z7 II
Compare Z7 vs Z7 II
Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z7 II

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Nikon Z7

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.31 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 Z7 test data on DxO Mark

4,505 vs 2,668 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 400 shots
Capture more photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon Z7 advantages over Pentax 645Z

Less expensive
$3097 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
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
Thinner
67 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
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
26 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 645Z User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z7 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax 645Z

Body Only

All 645Z Deals

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Buy the Nikon Z7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens and FTZ adapter

All Z7 Deals

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

Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.
Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.
Read our Nikon Z7 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 Z7

Pentax 645D

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 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 Z7

Leica S (Typ 006)

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 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 Z7

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon Z6

Pentax 645Z

Nikon Z6

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon Z6

Nikon Z7

Nikon Z6

$2147
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Canon EOS R

Pentax 645Z

Canon EOS R

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Canon EOS R

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