Pentax 645Z vs Sony A550

Following is a thorough review of the Pentax 645Z versus Sony A550, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and A550 (14MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and A550 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The 645Z was revealed 4 years after the A550 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 645Z matches up vs the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax 645Z and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax 645Z Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax 645Z enjoys outer dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") accompanied by a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) while the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax 645Z versus Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the 645Z against the A550.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 645Z and A550 is 49 and 63 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through specs. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 645Z and A550.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 645Z using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax 645Z will resolve more detail because of its extra 37MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent 645Z is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.