• Medium format 1,452.0mm2
  • 40.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 60.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Leica M11

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.06 vs 3.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Leica M11 advantages over Pentax 645D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 119 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    640g vs 1480g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    2333k vs 921k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    60.3 vs 40.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Very high-resolution 40-megapixel sensor; Plentiful controls with great placement; Excellent optical viewfinder; Dual SDHC card slots; Infrared remote sensors front and back.

  • High price tag; Aliasing artifacts; Produces ~70MB RAW files.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Pentax 645D
Nikon D3X
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Leica M11
Nikon D3X
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica S2

Pentax 645D
Leica S2
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Leica M11
Leica S2
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax 645D
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Leica M11
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645D
Pentax 645Z
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica M11
Pentax 645Z
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax 645D
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
Leica M11
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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