• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.31 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 480 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A77 II advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1798 vs $4694*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    80 mm vs 123 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More AF points
    79 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 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
    12.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm 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

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Pentax 645D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II 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)

Sony A77 II
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax 645Z
Canon 70D
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Canon 70D

Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 70D

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)

Sony A77 II
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax 645Z
Nikon D7200
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?