645D vs 645z

Alexander_Ravin · 08-09-2021, 03:03 AM

Dear friends, I have been shooting landscapes of the 645D for many years. The color that the camera gives me is very different, but the slowness, poor performance at ISO above 400, makes me think. Should I change it to 645Z? Will this be a big step for improving the picture, or shouldn't you expect a significant improvement? Thanks for the advice of those who shot with both cameras.
Alex

**ProfessorBuzz** · 08-09-2021, 05:52 AM

I have both; the 645Z is superb, image quality and colour are excellent. If you like the D, the Z is soooo much better. I'd keep the D as a backup body.

angerdan · 08-09-2021, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by Alexander_Ravin

Will this be a big step for improving the picture?

Yes:
Pentax 645D vs Pentax 645Z

SFTphotography · 08-09-2021, 12:17 PM

I never had a 645d - but the 645z is utterly immense. I cannot imagine anyone being anything other than over the moon with it

**Fontan** · 08-11-2021, 09:11 PM - **1 Like**

I have a D, never Z.
I just love the output of a CCD sensor. Ya, it’s slow but that’s how it is w MF shooting, at least for me. I have looked at plenty of files shot by Z, and while they look mighty fine, I prefer D over Z.

**Ed Hurst** · 08-11-2021, 11:01 PM

To me, the answer is "it depends". I have owned both and their strengths are very different. Both give wonderful results when used to their strengths.

The 645D has a CCD and, to me, gives the better colours out of the box (especially the reds) and - though this is subjective - produces results that feel more film-like in quality. Hard to prove some of this, but it's kinda like vinyl versus CD; not a purely technical difference but one that you 'know when you see it'.
But, the 645D is an old camera now (in digital terms). It's slow. Noise at high ISOs is not great. Frankly, though the medium format feel is worthwhile, you can get more modern FF cameras that outperform it technically in lots of ways.

The 645Z is a technical improvement in many ways. Apart from better resolution (not a massive difference in many situations), there's loads more dynamic range as a result of the CMOS sensor. Noise at high ISOs is superb. The camera operates much more quickly (which makes it a star trail beast for me - which the 645D never was). The results feel more "digital". The colours are good but, in my subjective opinion, need more work to give pleasing reds and somehow never quite look like 645D reds.

So it's horses for courses. If you put your camera on a tripod, shoot slowly, using low ISO, don't worry about speed, etc. etc. then the 645D will be fine and you may not care about the benefits of the Z, especially if you like the D's colours - though I am not sure that in 2021 it wins against many other options. If you want high ISO, faster shooting, better dynamic range, a bit more resolution and don't care about the colours, then the Z is for you.

That's my experience anyway!

08-09-2021, 03:03 AM	#1
Alexander_Ravin New Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 13	645D vs 645z Dear friends, I have been shooting landscapes of the 645D for many years. The color that the camera gives me is very different, but the slowness, poor performance at ISO above 400, makes me think. Should I change it to 645Z? Will this be a big step for improving the picture, or shouldn't you expect a significant improvement? Thanks for the advice of those who shot with both cameras. Alex

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08-09-2021, 05:52 AM	#2
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	I have both; the 645Z is superb, image quality and colour are excellent. If you like the D, the Z is soooo much better. I'd keep the D as a backup body.

08-09-2021, 11:45 AM	#3
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by Alexander_Ravin Will this be a big step for improving the picture? Yes: Pentax 645D vs Pentax 645Z

08-09-2021, 12:17 PM	#4
SFTphotography Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Scotland Posts: 291	I never had a 645d - but the 645z is utterly immense. I cannot imagine anyone being anything other than over the moon with it

08-11-2021, 09:11 PM - 1 Like	#5
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I have a D, never Z. I just love the output of a CCD sensor. Ya, it’s slow but that’s how it is w MF shooting, at least for me. I have looked at plenty of files shot by Z, and while they look mighty fine, I prefer D over Z.

08-11-2021, 11:01 PM	#6
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	To me, the answer is "it depends". I have owned both and their strengths are very different. Both give wonderful results when used to their strengths. The 645D has a CCD and, to me, gives the better colours out of the box (especially the reds) and - though this is subjective - produces results that feel more film-like in quality. Hard to prove some of this, but it's kinda like vinyl versus CD; not a purely technical difference but one that you 'know when you see it'. But, the 645D is an old camera now (in digital terms). It's slow. Noise at high ISOs is not great. Frankly, though the medium format feel is worthwhile, you can get more modern FF cameras that outperform it technically in lots of ways. The 645Z is a technical improvement in many ways. Apart from better resolution (not a massive difference in many situations), there's loads more dynamic range as a result of the CMOS sensor. Noise at high ISOs is superb. The camera operates much more quickly (which makes it a star trail beast for me - which the 645D never was). The results feel more "digital". The colours are good but, in my subjective opinion, need more work to give pleasing reds and somehow never quite look like 645D reds. So it's horses for courses. If you put your camera on a tripod, shoot slowly, using low ISO, don't worry about speed, etc. etc. then the 645D will be fine and you may not care about the benefits of the Z, especially if you like the D's colours - though I am not sure that in 2021 it wins against many other options. If you want high ISO, faster shooting, better dynamic range, a bit more resolution and don't care about the colours, then the Z is for you. That's my experience anyway!