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Pentax 645D vs Leica S Typ 006

The Pentax 645D and the Leica S (Typ 006) are two professional cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2010 and September 2012. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with a medium format sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 39.5 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 37.5 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax 645D
versus
Leica S Typ 006
Pentax 645D   Leica S Typ 006
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Pentax 645 mount lenses Leica S mount lenses
39.5 MP – Medium Format sensor 37.5 MP – Medium Format sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.1 shutter flaps per second 1.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
156 x 117 x 119 mm, 1480 g 160 x 120 x 80 mm, 1260 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax 645D and the Leica S (Typ 006)? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Pentax 645D and the Leica S Typ 006 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Pentax 645D vs Leica S Typ 006
Compare 645D versus S Typ 006 top
Comparison 645D or S Typ 006 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica S Typ 006 is notably larger (5 percent) than the Pentax 645D. However, the S Typ 006 is markedly lighter (15 percent) than the 645D. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the 645D gets 800 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the S Typ 006 can take .. images on a single charge of its Leica BP-PRO1 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax 645D 156 mm 117 mm 119 mm 1480 g 800 Y Mar 2010 9,995ebay.com
2.
 
Leica S Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica S3 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2018 18,995ebay.com
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. Y Sep 2008 22,995ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D850 146 mm 124 mm 79 mm 1005 g 1840 Y Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
12.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D810 146 mm 123 mm 82 mm 980 g 1200 Y Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax 645Z 156 mm 117 mm 123 mm 1550 g 650 Y Apr 2014 8,499ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 645D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 54 percent) than the S Typ 006, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a medium format sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the S Typ 006 is 7 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 0.79 (645D) and 0.8. The sensor in the 645D has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the S Typ 006 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Pentax 645D and Leica S Typ 006 sensor measures

With 39.5MP, the 645D offers a slightly higher resolution than the S Typ 006 (37.5MP), but the 645D nevertheless has marginally larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.06μm versus 6.00μm for the S Typ 006) due to its larger sensor. However, the S Typ 006 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 6 months) than the 645D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Pentax 645D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The Leica S (Typ 006) offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

645D versus S Typ 006 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the 645D has a notably higher overall DXO score than the S Typ 006 (overall score 6 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.7 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.6 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax 645D Medium Format 39.5 7264 5440none24.612.6126282
2.
 
Leica S Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.282476
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
4.
 
Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.8278682
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.0132074
6.
 
Leica S3 Medium Format 64.0 9800 65334K/24p25.614.4314398
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none25.113.7276393
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007 Medium Format 37.5 7500 50004K/24p25.113.7276393
9.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
10.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
11.
 
Nikon D850 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.414.82660100
12.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
13.
 
Nikon D810 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.714.8285397
14.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
15.
 
Pentax 645Z Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/60i26.014.74505101
16.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Neither the 645D nor the S Typ 006 offer Live View, so that they cannot project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen. Moreover, both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 645D and the S Typ 006 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (98%), but the viewfinder of the S Typ 006 has a higher magnification than the one of the 645D (0.87x vs 0.78x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Pentax 645D and Leica S Typ 006 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax 645Doptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 1.1/s n n
2.
 
Leica S Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica S3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s n n
9.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
10.
 
Leica S2optical Y3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D850optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n n
12.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
13.
 
Nikon D810optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
15.
 
Pentax 645Zoptical Y3.2 / 1037 tilting n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The Pentax 645D has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 645D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the S Typ 006 uses Compact Flash or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. The S Typ 006 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 645D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax 645D and Leica S (Typ 006) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax 645DYstereo / ----2.0---
2.
 
Leica S Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
4.
 
Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
6.
 
Leica S3Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
9.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
10.
 
Leica S2Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D850Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
12.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
13.
 
Nikon D810Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
14.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Pentax 645ZYstereo / monoY-mini3.0---
16.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
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Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the 645D and the S Typ 006 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 645D was replaced by the Pentax 645Z, while the S Typ 006 was followed by the Leica S Typ 007. Further information on the features and operation of the 645D and S Typ 006 can be found, respectively, in the Pentax 645D Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica S Typ 006 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Pentax 645D better than the Leica S Typ 006 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Pentax 645D:

  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.6 stops ISO advantage).
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (54 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in March 2010).

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Advantages of the Leica S (Typ 006):

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.78x).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (1.5 vs 1.1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 220g or 15 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 645D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S Typ 006 comes out slightly ahead of the 645D (6 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

645D 05:06 S Typ 006

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax 645D and the Leica S Typ 006 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 645D or the S Typ 006 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax 645D5/5.......... Mar 2010 9,995ebay.com
2.
 
Leica S Typ 006............ Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica S3............ Sep 2018 18,995ebay.com
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006............ Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
8.
 
Leica S Typ 0074/5.......... Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 22,995ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D8504.5/5+ +5/589/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
12.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D8105/5..5/586/1005/54.5/5 Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax 645Z5/5..3.5/5..4.5/55/5 Apr 2014 8,499ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Pentax 645D vs Leica S Typ 006

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Pentax 645 mount lenses Leica S mount lenses
    Launch Date March 2010 September 2012
    Launch Price USD 9,995 USD 21,950
    Sensor Specs Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    Sensor Technology CCD CCD
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor Medium Format Sensor
    Sensor Size 44.0 x 33.0 mm 45.0 x 30.0 mm
    Sensor Area 1452 mm2 1350 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 55 mm 54.1 mm
    Crop Factor 0.79x 0.8x
    Sensor Resolution 39.5 Megapixels 37.5 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 7264 x 5440 pixels 7500 x 5000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.06 μm 6.00 μm
    Pixel Density 2.72 MP/cm2 2.78 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 82 76
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.6 23.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.6 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1262 824
    Screen Specs Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 98% 98%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.87x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 1.1 shutter flaps/s 1.5 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Pentax 645D Leica S Typ 006
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Leica BP-PRO1
    Body Dimensions 156 x 117 x 119 mm
    (6.1 x 4.6 x 4.7 in)
    160 x 120 x 80 mm
    (6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 1480 g (52.2 oz) 1260 g (44.4 oz)
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