Pentax 645Z vs Sony A7R II

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Pentax 645Z vs Sony A7R II

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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 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R II.
Compare Sony A7R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R II conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Sony A7R II

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.31 vs 4.51 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 A7R II test data on DxO Mark

4,505 vs 3,434 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 340 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
51.4 vs 42.4 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

Sony A7R II advantages over Pentax 645Z

Less expensive
$2898 vs $4694
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
60 mm vs 123 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
640g vs 1555g
Lighter weight
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
23 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.0 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
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
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 645Z User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R II User Reviews

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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

Superb image quality; Very high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Compact, comfortable body with lots of customization potential; Bright, roomy and clear viewfinder; Tilting LCD display; Five-axis stabilization; Intuitive Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity
Movie button is poorly located; No touch screen; Not as fast to start up or shoot photos as a similarly-priced SLR; Rather slow buffer clearing; No built-in flash; Single card slot; Not weather-sealed to the same degree as some rivals
Read our Sony A7R 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 A7R II

Pentax 645D

$2898
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R 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 A7R II

Leica S (Typ 006)

$2898
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R II 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)

Sony A7R II

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$2898
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R II vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Sony A9

Pentax 645Z

Sony A9

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$2995
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sony A9

Sony A7R II

Sony A9

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III

Pentax 645Z

Sony A7R III

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2204
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Pentax 645Z vs Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$2204
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R III

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