Pentax 645Z Medium Format DSLR Comprehensive Starter Kit

The Pentax 645Z offers the incredible resolution and large sensor of a medium format system at a price that's a third that of the competition. It's an easy pick for our medium format Editors' Choice camera.

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  Captures images at 51-megapixel resolution. Excellent high ISO performance. Speedy response. 2.9fps continuous shooting. 27-point autofocus system. Articulating rear display. Weather-sealed design. Solid control layout. Dual tripod mounts. Optional Wi-Fi via FluCard memory card.

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  System lacks modern leaf-shutter lenses. Autofocus can struggle with fast moving subjects. Focus points grouped tightly in center of frame. Integrated design lacks versatility of a modular back. So-so video quality. Tethered shooting software not included.

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.

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

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

While the screen provides a clear view indoors, it is much harder to see outside on the default settings. Pushing the brightness value to the maximum helps, but you'll need to check the histogram to be sure that the image is correctly exposed.

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  Large sensor with high pixel-count, Tilting, Live View enabled screen, Familiar control arrangement

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  High price compared to 35mm, Heavy, Bulky

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.

Three years ago, we reviewed Pentax's first medium-format digital camera, the 645D, and found lots to love -- but also quite a few limitations that it shared with all of its medium-format competition.

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  Phenomenal resolution and detail, Excellent prints beyond 30x40 inches at base ISO, and really good 8x10s at ISO 12,800. (Even ISO 25,600 came close to a good 8x10!), Great high ISO performance for a medium-format camera, Mostly very accurate exposure metering, Huge sensor provides great opportunity...

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  Quite bulky (but not unduly so for a medium-format camera), Older lenses typically aren't weather-sealed, Autofocus points are clustered near center of frame, Default program line tends towards shutter speeds that can be hard to hand-hold (but easily fixed by changing program line), No AA filter...

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.

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A great system until you need service repairs or parts. You have to pay round trip shipping to the Phillipines & wait at least 2 months. No one else can repairthese . Furthermore , only the dealer who sold you is allowed to send it for you.They will not accept it directly from customers.If you have...

The quality and build of this camera is amazing, the resolution and dynamic range are also something incredible. The only thing I have to complain about is the auto gain on the live view that can not be turned off, hopefully they will fix that in a firmware update

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  Dynamic range, Pentax Glass Is Excellent, Resolution, Very good high ISO

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  Live View Autogain

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.

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

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  None

Probably the best piece of camera equipment I've ever owned. So much so that it challenges me almost like no other camera I've ever owned---your technique must rise to the occasion. Truly remarkable performance rez and iso wise. Not a speed demon, but speedy considering the file size.