Olympus E-PL6 vs. Pentax 645Z: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Worlds of Photography

Choosing your next camera is an exciting yet often overwhelming journey, especially when the contenders come from vastly different segments like the Olympus E-PL6, a compact entry-level mirrorless system, and the Pentax 645Z, a powerhouse medium format DSLR aimed at professionals. We’ve thoroughly tested and compared both cameras across a range of photography disciplines to give you a clear understanding of their strengths and how they fit into your creative workflow.

Let’s unpack everything - from sensor technology and ergonomics to real-world performance - so you can find the perfect match for your photography ambitions.

Getting to Know the Players: Size, Feel, and Handling

One of the first impressions any camera makes is how it feels in your hands and fits into your shooting style. The Olympus E-PL6 embraces the mirrorless, rangefinder-style design which prioritizes portability and ease of use, particularly important if you’re often on the go. In contrast, the Pentax 645Z is a large SLR-style camera, built for heavy-duty professional use with robust weather sealing and bigger controls.

Size comparison highlighting the compactness of Olympus E-PL6 against the bulkier but rugged Pentax 645Z.

Olympus E-PL6:

• Dimensions: 111 x 64 x 38 mm
• Weight: 325 grams
• Rangefinder-styled mirrorless body, ideal for street and travel photography
• Tilting 3” touchscreen for versatile shooting angles and intuitive control
• No built-in viewfinder, with an optional electronic viewfinder accessory

Pentax 645Z:

• Dimensions: 156 x 117 x 123 mm
• Weight: 1550 grams
• Large SLR with pentaprism optical viewfinder covering 98% of the frame
• Robust build with weather sealing and freezeproof features - a workhorse for harsh environments
• Tilting 3.2” LCD, no touchscreen

The ergonomic design reflects their intended users - the E-PL6 is designed for portability and casual use, while the 645Z is engineered for professional stability and handling extended shoots with large lenses.

Sensor Showdown: Size and Image Quality Implications

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the gap between the E-PL6 and 645Z is monumental. The Olympus employs a Four Thirds sensor, while the Pentax features an impressive medium format sensor.

A direct sensor size comparison reveals the medium format sensor's substantial area advantage over Four Thirds.

Key sensor specs:

Technical insights:

• The larger sensor size of the 645Z yields higher dynamic range (DxO mark: 14.7 vs. untested for E-PL6) and better noise control, especially in low light, which is crucial for demanding studio, landscape, and commercial shoots.
• Absence of an anti-aliasing filter on the 645Z contributes to its razor-sharp images with finely detailed textures - a big advantage for professionals working with large prints or demanding clients.
• The E-PL6’s sensor performs well for its class with solid color reproduction and decent ISO flexibility but naturally falls behind on ultimate image quality due to its smaller sensor size.

In our testing, the 645Z consistently delivered files rich in shadow and highlight information with a clarity and depth the E-PL6 can’t match, making it the go-to for portfolios and professional assignments.

Control Layout and Interface: Intuitiveness vs. Professional Precision

Operating your camera efficiently can make or break a shoot. Olympus aims for ease of use in a compact body, while Pentax emphasizes comprehensive control for seasoned operators.

Top-down layout shows the E-PL6’s minimalist controls versus Pentax 645Z’s extensive dial and button array.

Olympus E-PL6:

• Touchscreen LCD with intuitive tap-to-focus and menu navigation
• Minimal physical buttons, no dedicated top screen or illuminated buttons
• Modes include Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and Auto
• Electronic viewfinder optional, requires separate purchase

Pentax 645Z:

• Large, informative top LCD to keep track of key settings quickly
• Dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture on compatible lenses
• Optical pentaprism viewfinder with 0.85x magnification delivers bright, clear feedback
• Physical controls tailored for gloves and harsh environments

These differences highlight the Olympus as beginner-friendly and great for casual shooters or vloggers, while the Pentax delivers professional-grade ergonomics that support rapid adjustments during complex shoots like weddings or wildlife photography.

Autofocus Performance: Where Speed Meets Precision

Autofocus systems significantly impact your ability to capture sharp images, especially during action or low light.

The E-PL6’s contrast-detection autofocus is respectable for static or mildly active subjects, with continuous AF up to 8 fps shooting enabling quick captures. However, it can struggle in fast-paced scenarios or low light. Animal eye AF is absent, limiting wildlife photographers’ efficiency.

Conversely, the Pentax 645Z’s hybrid AF system combines phase detection for speed with contrast detection for accuracy, ensuring solid performance in tracking moving subjects, though the frame rate is slower at 3 fps reflecting the larger file sizes. Its autofocus shines in studio portraits and landscape-focused focus stacking.

Image Stabilization: Built-In Versus None

Image stabilization (IS) helps reduce blur from camera shake - especially valuable in low-light or telephoto shots.

• Olympus E-PL6: Features sensor-based 3-axis IS, effective up to around 3-4 stops, making handheld shooting easier, especially with adapted lenses.
• Pentax 645Z: Does not have in-body stabilization, depending instead on lens-based IS where available, which is limited in medium format lenses.

This means if you frequently shoot handheld in challenging light or macro scenarios on a budget, the E-PL6 can be friendlier, while the 645Z expects a tripod or steady support for maximum sharpness.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Robustness matters for outdoor, travel, and professional use.

The 645Z’s weather sealing and freezeproof design make it an excellent choice for landscape photographers tracking remote locations or shooting in adverse weather. The lightweight and sleek E-PL6, while not weather-sealed, remains durable enough for casual everyday use.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Your viewing method impacts how you compose and review images, especially in changing light.

The Olympus E-PL6’s articulating touchscreen contrasts with the Pentax 645Z’s higher resolution, fixed display.

• Olympus E-PL6: 3” 460k-dot tilting touchscreen, excellent for selfies, vlogging, and low-angle shooting.
• Pentax 645Z: Larger 3.2” 1037k-dot tilting screen, no touchscreen, favoring sharp playback and menu navigation.
• Viewfinder: No built-in EVF on E-PL6; Pentax 645Z offers a bright, large pentaprism optical viewfinder with 98% frame coverage.

If you’re used to touchscreen operation and selfie-style shooting, Olympus provides a more approachable interface. For professional framing and clarity, the 645Z’s optical viewfinder remains unmatched.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

To unlock a camera’s potential, pairing it with the right lenses is crucial.

The E-PL6 benefits significantly from the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem’s vast and affordable lens choice, perfect for travel, macro, and everyday shooting. The 645Z’s medium format lenses are fewer and more costly but offer exceptional optical quality and apertures tailored for studio and commercial use.

Battery Life and Storage

Shooting for long sessions without swapping batteries or memory cards is vital.

• Olympus E-PL6: Rated for approximately 360 shots per charge with a single SD card slot.
• Pentax 645Z: Nearly doubles battery life at 650 shots and provides dual SD card slots for backup or overflow.

The superior endurance and storage flexibility of the 645Z make it advantageous for professional workflows and extended outdoor shoots.

Connectivity and Video Features

Multimedia capabilities influence how a camera fits into hybrid workflows or social media content creation.

Olympus E-PL6 supports basic video but lacks external mic input, limiting professional audio capture. The Pentax 645Z offers more refined video options and microphone input, appealing to hybrid shooters who demand better sound and video quality.

Real-World Photography Tests: Images Across Genres

We put both cameras through the paces - portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night sky, video, travel, and professional work.

Olympus E PL6 front Olympus E PL6 screen back Pentax 645Z front Pentax 645Z screen back

Portrait Photography

• E-PL6: Delivers pleasing skin tones with creamy bokeh thanks to Micro Four Thirds lenses and built-in IS aiding handheld shots. Face detection culled focus effectively.
• 645Z: Superior detail, shallow depth of field, and finer color gradations allow pro-level portraits with excellent subject separation.

Landscape Photography

• E-PL6: Vibrant colors and compact form suit casual landscapes but limited dynamic range can challenge high-contrast scenes.
• 645Z: Wide dynamic range and high resolution reveal textures and shadows with exceptional clarity, perfect for large prints.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• E-PL6: 8 fps burst and AF tracking decent but no phase detection limits speed and accuracy; good for casual use.
• 645Z: Slower burst (3 fps) but hybrid AF excels in stationary wildlife or studio action shots where precision trumps speed.

Street and Travel Photography

• E-PL6: Lightweight, discreet, and quick, this is your optimal tool for candid shots and travel diaries.
• 645Z: Size and weight make it cumbersome for streets, best reserved for planned shoots or detailed travel landscapes.

Macro Photography

• E-PL6: IS and autofocus system support precise close-ups handheld.
• 645Z: Requires sturdy tripod but sensor resolution and lens sharpness push macro details to another level.

Night and Astrophotography

• E-PL6: Decent high ISO up to 6400 usable for casual night scenes.
• 645Z: Exceptional ISO performance and dynamic range excel for star fields and dimly lit environments.

Video Recording

• E-PL6: Basic 1080p @ 30 fps suitable for casual video, lacks mic input limits audio control.
• 645Z: More professional codecs, microphone input, and varied frame rates better suited for serious video work.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Unsurprisingly, the Pentax 645Z tops benchmarks with unparalleled image quality and professional features, while the E-PL6 scores highly on portability, ease of use, and affordability for casual users.

Specialized Strengths by Photography Genre

• Portrait: Pentax 645Z leads for professional portraiture; Olympus good for casual portraits and social media sharing.
• Landscape: Pentax dominates heading towards professional exhibitions; Olympus works well for travel snapshots.
• Wildlife: Olympus suits hobbyists; Pentax offers high-res studio animal photography.
• Sports: Olympus’ higher FPS advantageous at entry-level; Pentax slower but detailed shots preferred by event photographers.
• Street: Olympus wins due to compactness and discretion.
• Macro: Both capable but Pentax excels on tripod for extreme detail.
• Night/Astro: Pentax superior with high ISO and dynamic range.
• Video: Pentax better for hybrid professionals; Olympus for casual video.
• Travel: Olympus lightweight and compact ideal; Pentax more specialized.
• Professional Work: Pentax 645Z suits demanding workflows; Olympus entry-level only.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

You should consider the Olympus E-PL6 if you:

• Are a beginner or enthusiast seeking a compact, user-friendly mirrorless system
• Want an affordable camera for travel, street, or family photography
• Prefer touchscreen operation and built-in image stabilization
• Desire access to a wide, affordable lens ecosystem
• Shoot mostly photos and casual videos with simple post-processing

The Pentax 645Z is tailored for you if:

• You are a professional or advanced amateur prioritizing ultimate image quality and detail
• Shoot in studios, landscapes, or commercial environments where large files and dynamic range matter
• Need a rugged, weather-sealed camera for challenging conditions
• Require extensive manual controls, optical viewfinder, and advanced video features
• Are ready to invest in a medium format system and limited but exceptional lenses

Final Thoughts: Bridging Two Worlds of Photography

Comparing the Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax 645Z illustrates the vast spectrum of photographic tools available - from accessible mirrorless systems that invite you to experiment and grow, to sophisticated medium format giants pushing the boundaries of image quality for seasoned creators.

Your best choice depends on your goals, budget, and shooting habits. Whichever you pick, each camera opens pathways to creative expression - whether capturing fleeting street moments or creating gallery-worthy masterpieces.

Remember to try these cameras hands-on if possible. Test their controls, feel the ergonomics, and review sample images in your preferred subject area. This experience, combined with technical insight, will guide you confidently to your next camera companion.

Dive into the gear, explore lenses and accessories, and keep creating. Your photographic journey awaits!

We hope this comprehensive comparison helps you navigate the nuances between the Olympus E-PL6 and the Pentax 645Z, ensuring every shot you take is one step closer to your vision.