• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Sigma fp

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/125 vs 1/30 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 24.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution 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

Sigma fp advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Less expensive
    $1599 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
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 123 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    422g vs 1555g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    18.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    18.0 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax 645Z
Body Only
All 645Z Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma fp
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 45mm f/2.8 lens
All fp 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

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

Sigma fp
Pentax 645D
  • $1485
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp 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)

Sigma fp
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1485
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp 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)

Sigma fp
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1485
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax 645Z
Sony A7C
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp
Sony A7C
  • $1485
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp vs Sony A7C

Compared to Sigma fp L

Pentax 645Z
Sigma fp L
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sigma fp L

Sigma fp
Sigma fp L
  • $1485
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • More pixels

Compare Sigma fp vs Sigma fp L

Compare Other Cameras?