Pentax 645D

    65
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    Highlights

    • 40 MP Medium format CCD Sensor
    • No Optical Low-pass Filter
    • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points
    • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 1.1 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Overview

    Pentax 645D was announced in 2010 and is a Medium format (44 x 33 mm) DSLR camera with 40 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 1,600 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax 645D.

    PROS

    •   Large Sensor
    •   High Resolution Sensor - 40 Megapixel
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 82
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots

    Successor

    In 2014 Pentax 645D was replaced by Pentax 645Z. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pentax 645D and its successor.

    UPGRADES Pentax 645Z vs Pentax 645D
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 51.4 Megapixel vs 40 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
    Higher Native ISO 204,800 vs 1,600
    More Powerful Processor PRIME III vs PRIME II
    Max Image Resolution 8256 x 6192 vs 7264 x 5440
    More Focus Points 27 vs 11
    Tracking Autofocus vs
    Face Detection vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
    Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,037k dot vs 921k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Lower Min Metering -1 EV vs +2 EV
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 4505 vs 1262
    Higher DxO Color Depth 26.0 vs 24.6
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 14.7 vs 12.6
    Higher DxO Overall Score 101 vs 82
    Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    HDMI Output Micro Type D vs
    Speaker Stereo vs
    Microphone Input vs
    Dust Proof vs
    Freeze Proof vs
    DOWNGRADES Pentax 645Z vs Pentax 645D
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
    Heavier 1550 g (3.42 lb / 54.67 oz) vs 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)
    Shorter Battery Life 650 shots vs 800 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax 645D vs 645Z.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Pentax 645D has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 98% coverage and 0.56x (0.71x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Pentax 645D features a 40 megapixel Medium format CCD sensor with dimensions of 44 x 33 mm and a total area of 1452 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax 645D's Medium format sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 7264 x 5440 resolution.


    Lens Mount

    Pentax 645D has Pentax 645AF2 lens mount. Due to Medium format sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 0.79x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 0.79.


    No Low-Pass Filter

    There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax 645D.

    Pentax 645Z
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    Medium format

    51.4 MP

    Canon Rebel T7i
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    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Fujifilm X-S10
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26.1 MP

    Sony a7 III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.2 MP

    Canon 10D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Sony a7R IV
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    61.0 MP

    Canon 70D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Sony SLT-A68
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Pentax K-50
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    APS-C

    16.3 MP

    Sony a7R IIIA
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    Full Frame

    42.4 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Pentax 645D has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Pentax 645D comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 800 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has Dual SD/SDHC card slots.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Pentax 645D's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from +2 to +21 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Pentax 645D has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe (P-TTL or high speed sync available) or wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash or X-sync socket. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/125 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Pentax 645D has dimensions of 156 x 117 x 119 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 4.69"). It weighs 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

    156 mm (6.14")

    117 mm (4.61")

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    117 mm (4.61")

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    119 mm (4.69")

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    Pentax 645D dimensions

    Pentax 645D for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax 645D is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    EXCELLENT
    86

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 86 and is EXCELLENT choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)

    Travel Photography

    AVERAGE
    58

    Pentax 645D gets a score of 58 and is AVERAGE choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots

    Pentax 645D Evaluation

    We evaluate Pentax 645D and give score of 65 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    65

    Sensor

    GOOD
    80

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 80 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   High Resolution Sensor - 40 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 82

    Photo

    GOOD
    71

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 71 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    71

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 71 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    73

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    52

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 52 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    70

    We give Pentax 645D a score of 70 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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