Pentax 645Z Medium Format DSLR Camera (Body Only)

Ricoh Imaging’s Pentax 645Z is a “medium format” digital camera with a 43.8x32.8mm CMOS sensor, 1.66 times the size of a standard full-frame sensor. The sensor features a very high resolution of 51.4MP (8265x6192 pixels) and can record in JPEG and in Pentax’s own Raw (PEF) or Adobe DNG format.

A camera such as the Pentax 645Z is unique in that you have to adjust your workflow to get the most out of the camera. The large body and huge resolution means that you find yourself taking your time to get the shot you’re looking for, and if you don’t you’ll find the camera biting back and...

• +

  Massive resolution; Relatively affordability of medium-format sensor; Ready availability of affordable second-hand 645 lenses

• -

  AF isn’t as fast as you might like; No escaping the fact it’s a heavy camera

Medium-format cameras offer truly spectacular resolution, but until now, it's always come alongside a difficult compromise. With the Pentax 645Z, that changes. Building on 2010's 645D, the Pentax 645Z offers features that are rare or in some cases unique in a medium-format camera.

• +

  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, Phenomenal resolution and detail, Excellent prints beyond...

• -

  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, Quite bulky (but...

Although the Pentax 645Z medium format DSLR has been out for a few years, I only had a chance to try it out earlier this year, during my trip to Death Valley. I have been wanting to try the 645Z for quite some time, since I heard so many good things about it.

The Pentax 645Z is a remarkable camera. Not only has it improved greatly on the acclaimed 645D in terms of image quality and features, but it's managed to do this at a lower launch price ( $8499 in the US ).

Until very recently, you had to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to get a new digital medium-format camera, and in some cases you’d spend that much on the camera back alone.

Let's start with the stipulation that this won't be a formal review. It won't be a first look, and it won't be a field report.Rather, this is a report about my daily use of the 645z, which I purchased in early August, 2014 and the things that I have discovered while working with it.

Let’s face it, there aren’t many of us out there who can afford to blow £7,699 on a camera and lens, but believe it or not, the 51.4MP Pentax 645Z is an absolute steal at this price.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Usually the preserve of the professional studio photographer, Pentax has been trying to tempt enthusiast photographers with a medium-format digital camera since the launch of the Pentax 645D in March 2010.

• +

  51.4-million-pixel CMOS sensor with no AA filter, Excellent value, used manual-focus 645 lenses available, Cheaper than the medium-format competition

• -

  Weighs 1,470g, AF could be a little faster

Pros: The image quality is stunning, with a huge dynamic range that allows heavy post processing while maintaining excellent quality, the AF (single shot AF) works very well in low light (much better than my Nikon D800E and mirrorless medium format cameras), the viewfinder is big, the four newer...

The 645z is an incredible camera. First impressions are inevitably the build quality of this machine. It's beautifully made. All the controls fall easily to hand and have a great tactile quality. The viewfinder is bright and clear, and the in-camera display is well-lit and easy to read.

I wan't to begin by saying I'm a professional photographer but as an engineer I believe I understand what a great machine is, the Pentax 645Z fits very well in this category.

• +

  Ease of use, cmos sensor, file size, quality of build, excellent raw images

• -

  None

Check back with me in 6 months or a year.

I've been using this camera for about a year and finally decided to write a review. My comparisons are Nikon full frame bodies and high end lenses. This camera is without a doubt a better buy for a professional photographer. The raw files are superior and the depth is much greater.

My frame of reference here is the Nikon D3s, Nikon D3x, and Nikon D800e. I have been making photographs since the late 1960's.I general photograph things that don't move around much. Castles, cathedrals, ruins, abandoned buildings, urban junk, that sort of stuff.

I have several Nikon cameras but the details and the dynamic range that this camera produce is unreal. Excellent tool.

This is a very well built camera body. I am using it with a 150mm prime tele lens. It does not feel nose-heavy at all. Well balanced, comfortable hands fit. I say hands because you will need both of yours to hold it steady. It is heavy. I'm Ok with it because my other camera is an Rz67 (the Fridge).