Pentax Redefines The Medium Format D-SLR

The digital medium format market may be hard work these days, but this hasn’t dissuaded Ricoh Imaging from launching a new version of the Pentax 645D. The most affordable of the digital medium format camera systems has been made even more attractive in the shape of the new Pentax 645Z which, again, represents huge value for money if you like the idea of a bigger-than-35mm sensor.

The 645Z steps up to a 53 megapixels (total) CMOS-type sensor made by Sony… and the same Sony-made device as used in the much pricier Hasselblad H5D-50C and the Phase One IQ250 capture back. To achieve maximum resolution it doesn’t have an optical low-pass filter (LPF) and the sensitivity range is equivalent to ISO 100 up to 204,800. The pixel size is 5.3 microns and Ricoh claims a dynamic range of 14 stops.

Importantly, the adoption of a CMOS imager allows for live view and, for the first time on a digital medium format camera, Full HD video recording. The imaging area is 43.8x32.8 mm and the effective resolution is 51.4 megapixels, giving a maximum image size of 8256x6192 pixels and images can be captured as JPEGs in two smaller sizes, RAW files in either the proprietary 14-bit PEF or Adobe DNG formats, or as TIFFs. Significantly too, the 645Z delivers the fastest shooting speed in the digital medium format world, up to 3.0 fps for a burst of 30 maximum resolution JPEGs, ten RAW files or 12 TIFFs.

Movie clips are recorded in the MOV format – using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression – with stereo sound. An external microphone can be connected via a 3.5 mm stereo audio input. Additionally, 4K interval shooting is possible (but without sound) at a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels with MotionJPEG compression in the AVI format.

Image files are recorded onto an SD format card and the 645Z supports the UHS-I speed SDHC and SDXC types. As before, the new camera has dual memory card slots.

Borrowed from the K-3 is Pentax’s PRIME III image processor, the 27-point SAFOX 11 autofocusing module and the 86,000-pixel RGB sensitive metering system. The AF system employs 25 cross-type arrays arranged in a 5x5 pattern, and has a minimum sensitivity of -3.0 EV (at ISO 100). The shutter has a speed range of 30-1/4000 second with flash sync up to 1/125 second. Ricoh rates the 645Z shutter assembly’s reliability at 100,000 cycles. Also inherited from the K-3 is the ‘Multi Auto’ white balance measurement – originally devised by Ricoh for its high-end compacts – and based on the RGB metering.

Although similar in styling to that of the 645D, the 645Z has an all-new bodyshell which is made from magnesium alloy (over a diecast aluminium chassis) and sealed against the intrusion of dust and moisture with insulation to allow shooting in sub-zero temperatures. New is a tilt-adjustable LCD monitor screen with a larger, 8.1 cm display and 1.036 megadots resolution.

The 645Z retains the same Keplerian telescopic trapezoid prism optical viewfinder as its predecessor and this provides 98 percent scene coverage with 0.62x magnification (with a 55mm f2.8 lens). Other notable features include interchangeable focusing screens, a dual-axis level display, a USB 3.0 connection, a set of 11 ‘Custom Image’ picture modes, and multi-shot HDR capture with auto alignment.

Ricoh has also announced the increased availability of 13 ‘FA 645’ series lenses. This line-up includes five zooms, a macro and three f2.8 super- fast (for medium format) primes. The total system of compatible lenses now numbers 17.

Pentax products are distributed in Australia by C.R. Kennedy & Company and the 645Z is priced at $10,499 body only.

For more information visit www.pentax.com.au