18 Pro Cameras available for under $1,500.
The first appearance of a medium format camera with the Pentax 645D.
Keep lens needs and costs in mind. That can often be the tie breaker between models.
- Most Expensive: Pentax 645D ($9,300)
- Cheapest: Sony A6700 ($1,300)
- Oldest: Pentax 645D (2010)
- Newest: Sony A6700 (2023)
Model | Year | MSRP | MP | Weight | Sensor | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pentax 645D | 2010 | $9,300 | 40.0 | 1480g | MF | No |
Canon EOS-1 DX Mark II | 2016 | $5,999 | 20.2 | 1340g | FF | 4k60 |
Nikon D780 | 2020 | $2,299 | 24.3 | 840g | FF | 4k30 |
Nikon D810A | 2014 | $3,799 | 36.3 | 980g | FF | 1080p60 |
Nikon D850 | 2017 | $3,299 | 45.7 | 1005g | FF | 4k30 |
Nikon D5 | 2016 | $6,499 | 20.8 | 1400g | FF | 4k30 |
Nikon Z 7 | 2018 | $3,399 | 45.7 | 585g | FF | 4k30 |
Nikon Z 6II | 2020 | $1,995 | 24.5 | 615g | FF | 4k30 |
Sony A7RIII | 2017 | $3,199 | 42.4 | 657g | FF | 4k30 |
Sony A7C | 2020 | $1,799 | 24.2 | 509g | FF | 4k30 |
Sony A9 | 2017 | $4,499 | 24.2 | 673g | FF | 4k30 |
Sony A6700 | 2023 | $1,399 | 26.0 | 493g | APS-C | 4k120 |
Panasonic GH6 | 2022 | $2,199 | 25.2 | 823g | MFT | 6k60 |
Pentax K-1 Mark II | 2018 | $1,999 | 36.4 | 1010g | FF | 1080p30 |
Panasonic S1H | 2019 | $3,999 | 24.2 | 1052g | FF | 6k30 |
Panasonic S1R | 2019 | $3,699 | 47.3 | 1020g | FF | 4k60 |
Pentax K-3 Mark III | 2021 | $1,899 | 25.7 | 820g | APS-C | 4k30 |
Leica TL2 | 2017 | $1,949 | 24.0 | 399g | APS-C | 4k30 |
Affiliate Links
Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Discolsure page.
I have purchased gear from all of these companies and I expect them all to receive repeat business from me.
Pentax 645D
The heaviest camera I’ve come across. Don’t get fooled, check prices on lenses.
It uses the Pentax 645AF mount. (D FA645, FA64 and A645). There is an adapter to allow the use of 67 lenses.
It uses a 44mmx33mm CCD sensors that captures 40 megapixel (7264x5440) images.
It’s compatible with SDHC memory cards. 32GB is the largest capacity that will work.
- Official Product Page - Ricoh owns the Pentax camera brand.
- Pentax Forums Reviews
Nikon D850
Quite likely the best DSLR produced by Nikon.
Panasonic GH6
Video centric camera that can record in 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K at 60p.