Pentax 645Z vs Sony A99
The Pentax 645Z and the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 are two professional cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in April 2014 and September 2012. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a medium format (645Z) and a full frame (A99) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 51.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check 645Z offers at
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Check A99 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax 645Z and the Sony Alpha SLT-A99? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The physical size and weight of the Pentax 645Z and the Sony A99 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A99 is notably smaller (11 percent) than the Pentax 645Z. Moreover, the A99 is substantially lighter (48 percent) than the 645Z. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
Concerning battery life, the 645Z gets 650 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the A99 can take 500 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax 645Z | 156 mm | 117 mm | 123 mm | 1550 g | 650 | Y | Apr 2014 | US$ 8 499 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony A99 | 147 mm | 111 mm | 78 mm | 812 g | 500 | Y | Sep 2012 | US$ 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 1D X Mark II | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1530 g | 1210 | Y | Feb 2016 | US$ 5 999 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon 5DS | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 930 g | 700 | Y | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon 5DS R | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 930 g | 700 | Y | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D | 150 mm | 98 mm | 71 mm | 725 g | .. | Y | Jun 2016 | US$ 8 995 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Leica M11 | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 640 g | 700 | Y | Jan 2022 | US$ 8 999 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Leica SL | 147 mm | 104 mm | 39 mm | 847 g | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | US$ 7 449 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D4S | 160 mm | 157 mm | 91 mm | 1350 g | 3020 | Y | Feb 2014 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D5 | 160 mm | 159 mm | 92 mm | 1415 g | 3780 | Y | Jan 2016 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D7200 | 136 mm | 107 mm | 76 mm | 765 g | 1110 | Y | Mar 2015 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Pentax 645D | 156 mm | 117 mm | 119 mm | 1480 g | 800 | Y | Mar 2010 | US$ 9 995 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Sony A9 II | 129 mm | 96 mm | 76 mm | 678 g | 690 | Y | Oct 2019 | US$ 4 499 | amazon.com | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 143 mm | 104 mm | 81 mm | 732 g | 470 | Y | Aug 2011 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A99 II | 143 mm | 104 mm | 76 mm | 849 g | 490 | Y | Sep 2016 | US$ 3 199 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony A850 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Aug 2009 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Sep 2008 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The A99 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 67 percent) than the 645Z, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax 645Z features a medium format sensor and the Sony A99 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A99 is 41 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.79 and 1.0. The sensor in the 645Z has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A99 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 51.1MP, the 645Z offers a higher resolution than the A99 (24MP), but the 645Z has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 5.96μm for the A99). However, the 645Z is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the A99, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the 645Z has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Pentax 645Z implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 645Z for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 31 inches or 104.9 x 78.6 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 24.8 inches or 83.9 x 62.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 20.6 inches or 69.9 x 52.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A99 are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Pentax 645Z has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under review, the 645Z provides substantially higher image quality than the A99, with an overall score that is 12 points higher. This advantage is based on 1 bits higher color depth, 0.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax 645Z | Medium Format | 51.1 | 8256 | 6192 | 1080/60i | 26.0 | 14.7 | 4505 | 101 | |
| 2. | Sony A99 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 1555 | 89 | |
| 3. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 3207 | 88 | |
| 4. | Canon 5DS | Full Frame | 50.3 | 8688 | 5792 | 1080/30p | 24.7 | 12.4 | 2381 | 87 | |
| 5. | Canon 5DS R | Full Frame | 50.3 | 8688 | 5792 | 1080/30p | 24.6 | 12.4 | 2308 | 86 | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D | Medium Format | 51.3 | 8272 | 6200 | 1080/25p | 26.2 | 14.8 | 4489 | 102 | |
| 7. | Leica M11 | Full Frame | 60.3 | 9528 | 6328 | none | 26.3 | 14.8 | 3376 | 100 | |
| 8. | Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
| 9. | Nikon D4S | Full Frame | 16.2 | 4928 | 3280 | 1080/60p | 24.4 | 13.3 | 3074 | 89 | |
| 10. | Nikon D5 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5588 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.1 | 12.3 | 2343 | 88 | |
| 11. | Nikon D7200 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.5 | 14.6 | 1333 | 87 | |
| 12. | Pentax 645D | Medium Format | 39.5 | 7264 | 5440 | none | 24.6 | 12.6 | 1262 | 82 | |
| 13. | Sony A9 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 3434 | 93 | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.2 | 801 | 78 | |
| 15. | Sony A99 II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 13.4 | 2317 | 92 | |
| 16. | Sony A850 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.8 | 12.2 | 1415 | 79 | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.7 | 12.3 | 1431 | 79 |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A99 provides a faster frame rate than the 645Z. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/60i.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A99 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the 645Z has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the A99 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 645Z (98%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the 645Z has a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.71x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Pentax 645Z and Sony A99 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax 645Z | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1037 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
| 2. | Sony A99 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Canon 1D X Mark II | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1620 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 16.0/s | n | n | |
| 4. | Canon 5DS | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
| 5. | Canon 5DS R | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 2.3/s | n | n | |
| 7. | Leica M11 | optical | n | 3.0 / 2333 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.5/s | n | n | |
| 8. | Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
| 9. | Nikon D4S | optical | Y | 3.2 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
| 10. | Nikon D5 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2359 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
| 11. | Nikon D7200 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1229 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 12. | Pentax 645D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 1.1/s | n | n | |
| 13. | Sony A9 II | 3686 | n | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 921 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 15. | Sony A99 II | 2400 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | Sony A850 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.0/s | n | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One feature that differentiates the A99 and the 645Z is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The A99 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the 645Z offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.
The A99 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the 645Z does not have a selfie-screen.The Pentax 645Z has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The 645Z writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A99 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax 645Z and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax 645Z | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
| 2. | Sony A99 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 3. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
| 4. | Canon 5DS | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
| 5. | Canon 5DS R | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 7. | Leica M11 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 8. | Leica SL | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 9. | Nikon D4S | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 10. | Nikon D5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
| 11. | Nikon D7200 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 12. | Pentax 645D | Y | stereo / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Sony A9 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 15. | Sony A99 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 16. | Sony A850 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the A99 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The 645Z lacks such a headphone port.
Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.
Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the A99 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
Both the 645Z and the A99 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The A99 was replaced by the Sony A99, while the 645Z does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the 645Z and A99 can be found, respectively, in the Pentax 645Z Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A99 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is the Pentax 645Z better than the Sony A99 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Pentax 645Z:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (51.1 vs 24MP) with a 43% higher linear resolution.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
- More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.7 EV of extra DR).
- Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.5 stops ISO advantage).
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.71x).
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (650 versus 500) on a single battery charge.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 7 months after the A99).

Advantages of the Sony Alpha SLT-A99:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/60i).
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 98%).
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 1037k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More compact: Is smaller (147x111mm vs 156x117mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 738g or 48 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (67 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2012).
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A99 is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 12 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax 645Z and the Sony A99 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 645Z or the A99 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax 645Z | 5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Apr 2014 | US$ 8 499 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony A99 | 5/5 | .. | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 1D X Mark II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | US$ 5 999 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon 5DS | .. | + | .. | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon 5DS R | 5/5 | + | .. | 83/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Hasselblad X1D | .. | o | .. | 81/100 | .. | 4/5 | Jun 2016 | US$ 8 995 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Leica M11 | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2022 | US$ 8 999 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Leica SL | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | US$ 7 449 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D4S | 5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2014 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D5 | .. | .. | 4/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2016 | US$ 6 499 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D7200 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2015 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Pentax 645D | 5/5 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Mar 2010 | US$ 9 995 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Sony A9 II | .. | .. | 5/5 | 90/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2019 | US$ 4 499 | amazon.com | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 5/5 | 91/100 | .. | 81/100 | .. | 5/5 | Aug 2011 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A99 II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | US$ 3 199 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony A850 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2009 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2008 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check 645Z offers at
ebay.com

Check A99 offers at
ebay.com
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon M vs Pentax 645Z
- Fujifilm GFX 100 II vs Pentax 645Z
- Fujifilm X-A7 vs Pentax 645Z
- Leica V-LUX 2 vs Pentax 645Z
- Nikon A1000 vs Sony A99
- Nikon D5300 vs Sony A99
- Nikon D850 vs Sony A99
- Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax 645Z
- Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A99
- Panasonic GX9 vs Sony A99
- Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A99
- Pentax 645Z vs Sony RX10
Specifications: Pentax 645Z vs Sony A99
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Digital single lens reflex |
| Camera Lens | Pentax 645 mount lenses | Sony A mount lenses |
| Launch Date | April 2014 | September 2012 |
| Launch Price | USD 8,499 | USD 2,799 |
| Sensor Specs | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Medium Format Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 43.8 x 32.8 mm | 35.8 x 23.8 mm |
| Sensor Area | 1436.64 mm2 | 852.04 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 54.7 mm | 43 mm |
| Crop Factor | 0.79x | 1.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 51.1 Megapixels | 24 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 8256 x 6192 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 5.30 μm | 5.96 μm |
| Pixel Density | 3.56 MP/cm2 | 2.82 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | Anti-Alias filter |
| Movie Capability | 1080/60i Video | 1080/60p Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 204,800 ISO | 100 - 25,600 ISO |
| ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 50 - 25,600 ISO |
| Image Processor | PRIME III | BIONZ X |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 101 | 89 |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 26.0 | 25.0 |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 14.7 | 14.0 |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 4505 | 1555 |
| Screen Specs | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 98% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.71x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | Control Panel |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.2inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 1037k dots | 1229k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | Fully flexible screen |
| Shooting Specs | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
| Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 3 shutter flaps/s | 6 shutter flaps/s |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | 200 000 actuations |
| Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
| Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Dual card slots |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Connectivity Specs | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | PC Sync socket |
| USB Connector | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | mini HDMI |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | External MIC port |
| Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
| Geotagging | no internal GPS | GPS built-in |
| Body Specs | Pentax 645Z | Sony A99 |
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Pentax D-LI90 | Sony NP-FM500H |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots per charge | 500 shots per charge |
| Body Dimensions |
156 x 117 x 123 mm (6.1 x 4.6 x 4.8 in) |
147 x 111 x 78 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in) |
| Camera Weight | 1550 g (54.7 oz) | 812 g (28.6 oz) |

Check 645Z offers at
ebay.com

Check A99 offers at
ebay.com
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