Pentax 645Z Unveiled

The new Pentax 645Z medium format DSLR camera. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

Based upon the Pentax 645D, which was launched in 2010, the new camera has an enhanced image sensor and imaging engine to improve image quality and reliability plus improved specifications. These include a state-of-the-art  SAFOX 11 phase-matching AF module with 27 sensor points (including 25 cross-type sensors), along with high-speed data readout that supports a live-view function; a high-precision exposure control system; and a more durable, dependable shutter unit as well as a tiltable, 3.2-inch LCD monitor with approximately 1,037,000 dots. The new camera includes full HD movie recording capability with a 60i frame rate and smart-phone accessibility via Wi-Fi transmission with an optional FLUCARD FOR PENTAX 16GB O-FC1 memory card.

The image sensor has an area of 43.8 x 32.8 mm, which is roughly 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor. It boasts an anti-aliasing filter-less design and can support sensitivities up to ISO 204800. The PRIME III imaging engine includes advanced image-processing and noise-reduction capabilities and supports continuous shooting at approximately three images per second, with a buffer capacity of up to 10 raw frames ort 30 high-resolution JPEGs. The 645Z includes UHS-1 speed class compatibility for high-speed data storage (in the SDR104 bus speed mode; with a compatible SD memory card), and USB3.0-standard data interface for easy transfer of recorded images to a personal computer.

The 645Z features a large, bright optical viewfinder  with approximately 98% field of view coverage and a Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen. It includes the innovative Pentax Real-Time Scene Analysis System, which consists of an RGB light-metering sensor with approximately 86,000 pixels and a fine-tuned algorithm. This system provides improved exposure-control accuracy and also utilises the data obtained by the light-metering sensor to further enhance autofocusing accuracy and white balance adjustment.

Overseas websites provide an estimated release date of June 2014, with the price in the vicinity of US$8500 for the body only.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: TTL autofocus, auto-exposure medium format digital SLR camera
Lens Mount: PENTAX 645AF2 mount with AF coupler, lens information contacts, and power contacts
Image Sensor Type: CMOS with a primary colour filter, Size: 43.8 x 32.8 (mm) Effective Pixels Approx. 51.4 megapixels;Total Pixels Approx. 52.99 megapixels
Dust Removal: Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations “DR II” with the Dust Alert function
Sensitivity: (Standard output) ISO AUTO/100 to 204800 (EV steps can be set to 1EV, 1/2EV, or 1/3EV)
Image Stabilizer: Lens-shift type (By using SR system lens)
Recording Formats: RAW (PEF/DNG), TIFF, JPEG (Exif 2.30), DCF2.0 compliant
Recorded Pixels: JPEG: L (51M: 8256 x 6192), M (36M: 6912 x 5184), S (21M: 5376 x 4032), XS (3M: 1920 x 1440); RAW: L (51M: 8256 x 6192); TIFF: L (51M: 8256 x 6192)
Quality Level: RAW (14 bit): PEF, DNG; JPEG: ★★★ (Best), ★★ (Better), ★ (Good), RAW + JPEG simultaneous recording available
Colour Space: sRGB, AdobeRGB
Storage Media: SD, SDHC*, SDXC* memory card, Eye-Fi card, FLUCARD *UHS-I compatible; Dual Card Slot Sequential save, Save to Both Dual save, Separate RAW/JPG, Copying images between slots possible; Storage Folder Folder Name: Date (100_1018, 101_1019…) or user-assigned (default: PENTX); Storage File File Name: user-assigned (default: IMGP****); File No.: Sequential Numbering, Reset
Viewfinder: Type Keplerian telescopic trapezoid prism finder; Coverage (FOV) Approx. 98 %; Magnification Approx. 0.62 x (55mmF2.8 at infinity), Approx. 0.85 x (75mmF2.8 at infinity); Eye-Relief Length Approx. 21 mm (from the view window), Approx 24.1 mm (from the centre of lens); Diopter Adjustment Approx. -3.5 m to + 2.0 m-1; Focusing Screen Interchangeable Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen
Live View: Type TTL method using CMOS image sensor; Focus Method Contrast detection AF (Face Detection, Tracking, Multiple AF Points, Select, Spot); Focus Peaking: ON/OFF
Display: Field of view: approx. 100 %, Magnified view (2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x), Grid Display (Grid Style: 4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale, Square 1, Square 2, Grid Colour: translucent black, translucent white), Histogram, Highlight Alert, Rotate Display 180 °
LCD Monitor: 3.2 inch Tiltable TFT colour LCD monitor with approx. 1037K dots, featuring an air-gapless structure with an AR-coated, tempered-glass front panel;  Brightness, Saturation and Colour adjustable
White Balance: Combination system of CMOS image and light source detection sensors; Settings:Auto, Multi Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Colour, N: Daylight White, W:Cool White, L: Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings can be saved), Colour Temperature (up to 3 settings can be saved), Copying the white balance settings of a captured image possible; Fine Adjustment Adjustable ±7 steps on A-B axis or G-M axis
Autofocus System:  TTL phase-matching SAFOX 11, 27 AF points (25 cross-type focus points in the centre); Brightness Range EV -3 to 18 (ISO 100, at normal temperature); AF Modes Single AF (AF.S), Continuous AF (AF.C), Focus operation customisable; Focusing Area Selection Modes Spot, Select, Expanded Area AF (S, M, L), Zone Select, Auto (27 AF Points)  
Exposure Control: TTL open aperture metering using 86K pixel RGB sensor
Metering Modes: Multi-segment metering, Centre-weighted metering, Spot metering;  Range EV -1 to 21 (ISO100 at 55mm f/2.8)
Exposure Modes: Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb, Flash X-sync Speed, USER1, USER2, USER3
EV Compensation: +/-5 EV (1/3 EV steps or 1/2 EV steps can be selected)
AE Lock: Button type (timer-control: two times the meter operating time set in Custom Setting), Continuous as long as the shutter release button is halfway pressed
Exposure Bracketing: 2, 3 or 5 frames, Available with Continuous, Self-timer or Remote Control
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter; Auto: 1/4000 to 30 sec., Manual: 1/4000 to 30 sec. (1/3 EV steps or 1/2 EV steps), Bulb
Drive Modes: Stills: Single Frame, Continuous (H, L), Self-timer (12 sec., 2sec.), Remote Control (immediately, 3 sec., continuous), Multi-exposure (available with Continuous, Self-timer or Remote Control), Interval Shooting, Interval Composite; Movie: Remote Control, Interval Movie Record Mirror Lock-up Shooting Available with Continuous, Self-timer, Remote Control or Multi-exposure  
Continuous Shooting: Max. approx. 3 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous H): up to approx. 30 frames, RAW: up to approx. 10 frames, TIFF: up to approx. 12 Max. approx. 1 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous L): up to approx. 300 frames, RAW: up to approx. 25 frames, TIFF: up to approx. 15 *When the sensitivity is set to ISO100.
Multi-Exposure Composite Mode: Additive, Average, Bright; Number of Shots: 2 to 2000 images  
Interval Shooting: Stills: Interval: 2 sec. to 24 hr. Number of Shots: 2 to 2000 images Start Interval: Now, Set Time; Movie: Recorded Pixels: 4K, Full HD, HD Interval: 2 sec. to 1 hr. Recording Time: 14 sec. to 99 hr. Start Interval: Now, Set Time
Flash: 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 (available with a dedicated external flash); Sync Speed 1/125 sec.; Flash Exposure Compensation -2.0 to + 1.0 EV
Capture Settings: Custom Image Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing, Cross Processing Random, Preset 1-3, Favourite 1-3; Noise Reduction Slow Shutter Speed NR, High-ISO NR; Dynamic Range Settings Highlight Correction, Shadow Correction; Lens Correction Distortion Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Peripheral Illumination Correction,; Diffraction Correction; HDR Capture Auto, Type1, Type2, Type3, Exposure Bracket Value adjustable, Auto Align (automatic composition   correction function) available
Electronic Level:  Displayed in viewfinder and LCD panel (horizontal direction only); displayed on LCD monitor (horizontal direction and vertical direction)
Movie: File Formats MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV) *Motion JPEG (AVI) for Interval Movie Record; Recorded Pixels Full HD (1920 x 1080, 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p), HD (1280 x 720, 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p); Sound Built-in stereo microphones, external microphone (stereo recording compatible), Recording Sound Level adjustable; Recording Time Up to 25 minutes; automatically stops recording if the internal temperature of the camera becomes high.
Custom Image: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing, Cross Processing Random, Preset 1-3, Favorite 1-3, HDR Capture, *Available only for Interval Movie; Record Auto, Type1, Type2, Type3, Exposure Bracket Value adjustable
Playback Functions: Single image display, Multi-image display (6, 12, 20, 35, 80 thumbnails), Image magnification (up to 16x, 1x display and quick zoom available), Grid Display (Grid Style: 4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale, Square 1, Square 2, Grid Colour: translucent black, translucent white), Rotated image display, Histogram (Y histogram, RGB histogram), Highlight Alert, Auto Image Rotation, Detailed Information Display, Copyright Information (Photographer, Copyright Holder), Folder Display, Calendar Filmstrip Display, Slideshow, GPS information (latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)) Delete Single image, all images, select & delete, folder, Instant Review image
Digital Filter: Base Parameter Adj, Extract Colour, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Colour, Unicolour Bold, Bold Monochrome, Tone Expansion, Sketch, Water Colour, Pastel, Posterisation, Miniature, Soft, Starburst, Fish-eye, Slim
RAW Development: Select single image, Select multiple images, Select a folder; Development parameters: File Format (JPEG/TIFF), Aspect Ratio, JPEG Recorded Pixels, JPEG Quality, Colour Space, Distortion Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Peripheral Illumination Correction, Diffraction Correction, Colour Fringe Correction, White Balance, Custom Image, Digital Filter, HDR, Sensitivity, High-ISO NR, Shadow Correction
Editing Features: Colour Moirø© Correction, Resize, Cropping (aspect ratio can be changed and tilt adjustment is available), Movie Edit (dividing a movie file and deleting unwanted segments), Capturing a JPEG still picture from a movie, Saving RAW Data, Image Copy, Eye-Fi Image Transfer
Customisation: USER Modes Up to 3 settings can be saved, Custom Functions 29 items; Mode Memory 11 items, Button Customisation/E-dial Programming, RAW/Fx Button: One Push File Format, Optical Preview, Digital Preview, AF Button: Enable AF1, Enable AF2, Cancel AF
Preview Dial: Optical Preview, Digital Preview
Illumination Button: LCD Panel Illumination, Modelling Flash, Test Flash
E-dials (front/rear): customisable to each exposure mode
World Time: World Time settings for 75 cities (28 time zones)
Power Supply: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90, CIPA rated for Approx. 650 images or Approx. 400 minutes playback
Interfaces: USB 3.0 (micro B) MSC/PTP, external power supply terminal, cable switch terminal, X-sync socket, HDMI output terminal (Type D) , stereo microphone input terminal
Dimensions: Approx. 156 mm (W) x 117 mm (H) x 123 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 1550 g (including dedicated battery and an SD memory card); Approx. 1470 g (body only)