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

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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 10 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

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 45mm f/2.8 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

Sigma fp
Pentax 645D
  • $1699
  • 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)
  • $1699
  • 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)
  • $1699
  • 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
  • $1699
  • 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
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sigma fp vs Sigma fp L

Compare Other Cameras?