Pentax 645Z (2014)

A digital medium-format SLR camera with 51.4 megapixels, introduced by Ricoh as Pentax in April 2014.

Overview

The Pentax 645Z is a professional medium format digital SLR camera announced by Ricoh on April 15, 2014. It succeeded the 645D as a refined version with improved autofocus and better high-ISO performance. At launch, it offered one of the best price-performance ratios in the digital medium-format market. The camera features a large 43.8 x 32.8mm sensor with 51.4 million effective pixels and a resolution of 8256 x 6192. It includes a 3.2-inch LCD with 1,037,000 dots and uses TTL open aperture metering via an 86K pixel RGB sensor. According to large Japanese retailer Map Camera, the model has been discontinued as of June 2023.

Specifications

Sensor resolution	51.4 megapixels
Sensor size	43.8 x 32.8 mm
Native ISO sensitivity	Up to ISO 204800
Resolution	8256 x 6192
Metering system	TTL open aperture metering using 86K pixel RGB sensor
LCD screen	3.2 inches, 1,037,000 dots
Dimensions	Approx. 156 mm (W) x 117 mm (H) x 123 mm (D)
Weight	1550 g (including battery, as per Wikipedia and dpreview); 1574 g with cards, body cap, and battery (Chris Giles Photography)

Context

The Pentax 645Z was positioned as an affordable entry into digital medium-format photography, sharing its sensor with the Phase One IQ250. When introduced, it stood out for delivering high image quality at a significantly lower price than competing systems. It helped sustain interest in medium-format digital during a period of declining sales, before Fuji expanded the accessible medium-format market. The camera was praised for its excellent dynamic range in RAW files and its ability to capture scenes previously difficult with medium-format digital gear.

Market

The Pentax 645Z launched at a price of $8,499.95 USD in 2014. By 2017, used prices had dropped to less than half of that. As of current listings, used units are available for around $2,349.00, reflecting its position as a capable but discontinued professional tool.