More than 300 have been injured and it is feared the death toll will rise as many homes have reportedly been buried by a landslide triggered by the quake.
More than 700 houses were badly damaged a social affairs ministry official told AP.
The quake struck around 1500hrs (0800 GMT). Its epicentre was offshore, 115km (70 miles) south-west of Tasikmalaya.
A local tsunami alert was issued but revoked shortly afterwards. However, the earthquake did cause a landslide on Java's southern coast, trapping many people.
Watch the video of the quake here.
