I guess many of you will be curious what you can achieve with a camera having a Sony 50 Megapixel 44x33cm medium format sensor. These are the first full size image samples taken with the Pentax 645Z. Specs and preorders can be read/taken at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
Full Size (ISO 200): http://ift.tt/1iTrT2Z
Full Size (ISO 200): http://ift.tt/1ilT3TR
Full Size (ISO 400): http://ift.tt/1ilT36b
Full Size (ISO 400): http://ift.tt/1iTrSMr
Full Size (ISO 1600): http://ift.tt/1ilT369
Full Size (ISO 600): http://ift.tt/1iTrQEp
Full Size (ISO 800): http://ift.tt/1iTrSMF
Full Size (ISO 6400): http://ift.tt/1ilT3TE
Great detail! Although it’s hard to judge how much more quality you get compared with a Sony A7r.
Ricoh announced the new Pentax 645Z medium format camera. It becomes the cheapest digital medium format camera ever released and it can be preordered at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
There are a couple of interesting Sony related news:
- First, Sony is literally conquering the full medium format digital camera market in one single strike! Hasselblad, Phase One and now Pentax use the newly developed and first ever CMOS sensor with 50Mp. Sony just had to make one sensor to wipe out the sensor competition from that market!
- The Sony sensor is the first CMOS sensor in the MF market, it’s the first sensor that allows useable High ISO with the new Pentax going up to 204,800 ISO!
- If the rumor is correct than the Sony Mamiya 7 alike (here on eBay) digital mirrorless medium format camera will cost less than the Pentax (less than $8,500).
Full press release of the new 645Z:
Designed to meet the demands of professional photographers, the 645Z offers a 43.8mm x 32.8mm 51.4 mega-pixel CMOS sensor, which is ideal for ultra-high resolution imaging, exceptionally large printing applications and outstanding cropping flexibility.
Built with the assumption that every second matters, the 645Z offers a fast frame rate of 3FPS, quick image processing to rapidly review images, and swift image transfer with USB 3.0 computer connection.
The high-resolution, tiltable, air-gapless 3.2-inch LCD monitor with approx. 1,037,000 dots offers live view for convenient framing and reviewing of image lighting. The tilting LCD is convenient for waist level or overhead shooting.
Assure the sharpest focus with the SAFOX 11 autofocus module maximizes 27 AF sensors and a vast light sensitivity range of –3EV to +18EV. The new focus module includes 25 cross sensors and three AF sensors dedicated to low light focusing.
The new Real Time Scene Analysis System features an 86,000 pixel RGB light-metering sensor and improved algorithms that further enhance accuracy of exposure, white balance and autofocusing. This assures a perfectly exposed image even in difficult lighting conditions.
With a magnesium alloy body, die cast aluminum chassis, and 76 special seals, the 645Z boasts a fully weather and coldproof design to resist water, fog, snow, sand and dust, for top performance in extreme field conditions as well as in the studio.
Anti Aliasing filterless design achieves superior resolution for rich, detailed imagery at supreme resolution where camera settings, lens selection and shooting conditions are controlled to prevent moiré.
Enhance your video recording experience with full HD movie capture in the H.264 format (1920 x 1080 pixels/60i/30p), also including the ability to switch from still image to video recording with the flip of a dedicated switch. Equipped with a stereo microphone terminal for external microphone connection, the user can also adjust the audio recording level manually and visually monitor sound levels during recording.
Perfect for studio or macro shooting situations, the optional 16 GB FLU CARD for PENTAX in the 645Z allows the photographer to remotely change settings such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO, shift the AF focus point, release the camera shutter, check a Liveview image, and browse and download images to any web browser enabled device. Eye-Fi Wireless and standard SDXC Memory cards are also compatible.
Dual slot SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card support ensures fast and reliable storage for high resolution image files, simultaneously saving in multiple formats, assigning images to different cards based on their original format, or easily holding one memory card in reserve.
High sensitivity range of ISO 200-204800 with improved noise performance throughout, including ISO-specific noise reduction, the 645Z will be ready to perform in a wide range of light levels and shooting conditions.
When shooting scenes that include multiple light sources, such as sunlight and shade or flash, light sources are recognized automatically and the image is separated into different areas. White balance is adjusted separately in each area according to the different light sources to achieve optimal colour reproduction. With a newly added Multi-Pattern Auto mode, switching back and forth between modes is easily achieved.
An HDMI port outputs high definition images, video and sound to HDTVs.
Improved in-camera HDR image capture features more blending options and better pixel registration for easier operation without a tripod.
Customizable RAW/Fx button allows for easy access to common shooting settings.
Preorders at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
I praised many times Sigma for the quality of their lately announced ART lenses. But I also have to express my disappointment for this: Back in June 2013(!) Sigma released the 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens accepting preorders at Amazon US (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here) and expected availability in late July 2013 (see screenshot on top). Since then Sigma never shipped any A-mount lens and also didn’t release any official note. That’s quite a let down
Lately one of our SAR readers got an official response from Sigma France saying the lens would ship in May. Now let’s hope this promise will be fulfilled! Here is the original french message:
“Message de votre service clients Miss Numerique
Bonjour,
Nous vous remercions d’avoir commandé chez Miss Numerique.
Le constructeur du produit SIGMA objectif photo ART 18-35 mm f/1.8 DC HSM monture SONY éprouve malheureusement des difficultés à produire cette référence en quantité suffisante, ceci se traduit par des difficultés d’approvisionnement de leur réseau de distributeurs.
Devant notre insistance, notre fournisseur nous a annoncé un approvisionnement dans un délai de 4 semaines.
Votre commande sera alors expédiée dès réception.”
P.S.: And please do not repeat the story with your newly announced 50mm ART lens Neither Preorders are up at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
