• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    78 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
    828g vs 1555g
    Lighter weight
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.9 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax 645Z advantages over Sony A99

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    4,505 vs 1,555 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.71x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    27 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • 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

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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Sony A99
Pentax 645D
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax 645Z
Pentax 645D
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax 645Z
Nikon D800
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax 645Z
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax 645Z
Nikon D800E
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Sony A99
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
Pentax 645Z
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
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