Ricoh announces Pentax 645Z, a Digital Medium Format Camera

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Pentax has never failed to amaze me. They do not have a full frame digital camera like other manufacturers but has come out with a larger than full frame format that not many other camera manufacturers have. This is the cheapest digital medium format camera too. The controls look more like the Pentax K-3 and is weather sealed.

 

DENVER, CO, April 9, 2014 – It is not often that a camera can be referred to as a game-changer. One that can provide photographers with the tools that not only enrich their craft but are capable of producing images so distinct they are easily set apart from the competition. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is pleased to announce the game-changing PENTAX 645Z medium-format DSLR, thus altering the landscape of professional photography.

Developed on the multi-award-winning legacy of the PENTAX 645D and the historic PENTAX 645 film cameras, the PENTAX 645Z improves upon one of the most lauded cameras in the company’s 95 year history. Featuring an amazing 51.4 megapixels on a high-performance CMOS image sensor, the PENTAX 645Z assures super-high-resolution images with a stunningly realistic sense of depth combined with vivid colors and rich shadow detail. The resulting images feature a uniquely distinct look and an unmistakable brilliance that clearly differentiate professional photographers to their clients. The thoughtful inclusion of a CMOS image sensor enables live view on a tiltable LCD panel while also making the 645Z the first and only camera in the medium-format category to offer video recording capabilities, resulting in footage that captures amazingly lifelike reproductions with tangible depth and incredible dynamic range.

“Our diverse lineup of DSLRs enables us to offer professional tools like the 645Z at a price point within reach of many photographers,” said Jim Malcolm, Executive Vice President, Ricoh Imaging. “Today’s photographers are looking to differentiate their craft and the 645Z offers the perfect option as an exceptional medium-format camera that does not sacrifice in quality or specification, with affordability.”

The new PENTAX 645Z has also received several significant enhancements including an improved and highly responsive shooting experience that can capture an incredible three frames per second—a significant benefit when compared to other medium-format cameras featuring CMOS sensors and an equivalent resolution—with a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second. The 645Z is equipped with an amazing top ISO of 204,800 for images with exceptional quality, even in situations with very low light or pushing for higher shutter speeds in all lighting conditions, providing the photographer with totally new creative options far beyond the scope of existing medium-format photography. Additionally, the 645Z is compatible with the recently introduced FLU Card, providing remote operation of the 645Z including the ability to release the shutter, view a live-view, and browse and download the images recorded on the card using a wireless connection to a smartphone, tablet, computer or any web browser enabled device.

Widening the 645Z’s already diverse applications for shooting is an articulated LCD with a 3.2-inch LCD monitor with approximately 1,037,000 dots, ensuring even the most agile photographer captures waist-level, high and low-angle images with precision and ease. Finally, the PENTAX 645Z features an incredibly sturdy and dependable body with a magnesium alloy frame and a diecast aluminum chassis, complemented by 76 weather-seals for a cold-resistant, weather-resistant and dustproof shooting experience.

In conjunction with the launch of the PENTAX 645Z, Ricoh Imaging is also excited to announce the availability of 13FA 645 lenses to support an even wider variety of optics providing the perfect system that spans numerous shooting scenarios.

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Pricing and Availability 
The PENTAX 645Z will be available for purchase in June 2014 for a category-low retail price of $8,499.95 for the body only.

The newly available FA 645 lenses are available now for the following prices:

 SMC-FA 645 75MM F2.8 $839.00
 SMC-FA 645 45MM F2.8 $1,319.00
 SMCP-FA 645 150mm f/2.8(IF) $1,679.00 
 SMCP-FA 645 300MM f/5.6 ED(IF) $5,759.00 
 SMC-FA 645 400MM F5.6 EDIF $3,479.00
 SMC-FA 645 ZOOM 45-85 F4.5 $2,879.00
 SMCP-FA 645 120mm f/4 MACRO $1,679.00
 SMCP-FA 645 200MM f/4 (IF) $1,319.00
 SMCP-FA 645 80-160/4.5  $2,519.00
 SMCP-FA 645 33-55 f/4.5 AL $3,239.00
 SMCP-FA 645 ZOOM 150-300MM F/5.6 ED $3,239.00 
 SMCP-FA 645 35mm f/3.5 $1,919.00 
 SMCP-FA 645 55-110 f/5.6 $2,039.00

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Pentax 645Z specifications

Price
MSRP $8499.95 / £6799.99 (body only), £7699.99 (with 55mm lens)
Body type
Body type Large SLR”
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 8256 x 6192
Other resolutions 6912 x 5184, 5376 x4032, 1920 x 1080
Image ratio w:h 4:3
Effective pixels 51 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 53 megapixels
Sensor size Medium format (44 x 33 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor PRIME III
Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO AUto, ISO 100-204800
White balance presets 10
Custom white balance Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels Superfine, fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif 2.3)
  • RAW (PEF/DNG)
  • TIFF
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp No
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 27
Lens mount Pentax 645AF2
Focal length multiplier 0.8×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3.2
Screen dots 1,037,000
Touch screen No
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.62×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Sensitivity Priority
  • Shutter Priority
  • Aperture Priority
  • Shutter and Aperture Priority
  • Manual
  • Bulb
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes
Flash modes Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
Flash X sync speed 1/125 sec
Drive modes
  • Single-shot, continuous high, continuous low, self-timer, remote, multi-exposure, interval shooting, interval composite
Continuous drive fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±5 (2, 3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
Videography features
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Mono
Speaker Stereo
Storage
Storage types Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Connectivity
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port No
Remote control Yes
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes (Weather and dust sealed, freezeproof to -010C/+14F)
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description D-LI90 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 650
Weight (inc. batteries) 1550 g (3.42 lb / 54.67 oz)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 123 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 4.84)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS Optional
GPS notes via O-GPS1

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