• Medium format 1,436.6mm2
  • 51.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Pentax 645Z advantages over Nikon D5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    4,505 vs 2,343 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.7 vs 12.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.72x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    51.4 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax 645Z

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $3390 vs $4694
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 5.31 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    92 mm vs 123 mm
    Thinner
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More AF points
    153 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 204800 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
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Phenomenal resolution and detail; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, weather-sealed body; Huge, bright viewfinder; Fast autofocus works well in low light; Swift performance for a medium-format camera; Good battery life; Shoots Full HD video

  • Quite bulky compared to an APS-C or full-frame DSLR; Autofocus points clustered near center of frame; Most lenses aren't weather-sealed or optimized for digital; Prone to aliasing artifacts (but so are most high-end cameras these days); Attracts a lot of attention from passers-by

  • Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.

  • Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Pentax 645Z
Pentax 645D
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D5
Pentax 645D
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax 645Z
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Nikon D5
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax 645Z
Nikon D4S
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax 645Z
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
Nikon D5
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax 645Z
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
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