An official announcement from Pentax detailing their new 645Z is expected later today. However, the cat is mostly out of the bag after some pretty exciting specs were leaked across various photog websites over the weekend. The pre-release leaks have left fans being able to guess the likely content of Pentax’s announcement and the camera’s capabilities.
Sporting the MF CMOS sensor, by Sony, Pentax has created a camera capable of both medium format and 4K video, but the BIG joy this camera brings to cash-strapped photographers everywhere is that the 645Z seems set to slip into the market well below the price of rivals.
We wrote recently about Pentax taking a lead in competitive pricing and packing more premium features in lower end models than other brands. In the original 645D Pentax re-worked and re-used its technology to squeeze the maximum amount of features possible while keeping the sale price relatively low and it appears this trick has been followed again. According to Pentax Rumors,
the 645Z’s specifications are virtually identical to those of the recently-launched Pentax K-3 flagship in terms of autofocus, live view, metering, video capabilities, and other menu features.
Unlike its predecessor the new Sony sensor should help the 645Z function better at high ISO settings and overall feature quality across the board has been bumped up in terms of performance.
The big selling point is that it looks set to come in way under $10,000 with Photo Rumors giving the new model a price tag of $8,496.95 making the 645Z set to offer people who want better image quality an option without needing to remortgage their house.