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Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
50
Imaging
47
Features
38
Overall
43
Canon EOS-1D Mark II front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Canon 1D MII
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1565g - 156 x 158 x 80mm
  • Announced June 2004
  • Previous Model is Canon 1D
  • Successor is Canon 1D MII N
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Older Model is Pentax 645D
Photography Glossary

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon 1D MII and Pentax 645Z, both Pro DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the 1D MII (8MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the 1D MII (APS-H) and 645Z (Medium format) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1D MII was introduced 10 years prior to the 645Z and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 1D MII scores vs the 645Z when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D MII over the Pentax 645Z

 1D MII 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Canon 1D MII

 645Z 1D MII 
IntroducedApril 2014June 2004Fresher by 119 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"2"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1D MII and Pentax 645Z

 1D MII 645Z 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 1D MII offers exterior dimensions of 156mm x 158mm x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") and a weight of 1565 grams (3.45 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") and a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 1D MII and Pentax 645Z in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the 1D MII against the 645Z.

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 1D MII and 645Z is 50 and 49 respectively.

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1D MII and 645Z.

As you can see, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1D MII with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax 645Z will provide you with more detail using its extra 43 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older 1D MII will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D MII Portrait photography advice
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography advice
52
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-H)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (8MP)
88
has manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (51MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D MII as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
45
sensor size is good (APS-H)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,565g)
63
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (204,800)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average (1,550g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 1D MII
Sports photography with Pentax 645Z
48
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
71
sensor resolution is fantastic (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (650 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1D MII
Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
29
more heavy than average in class (1,565g)
low megapixels (8MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
51
weather proof
sensor resolution is fantastic (51 megapixels)
bad battery power (650 shots)
more heavy than average (1,550 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D MII Landscape photography information
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography information
48
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is fantastic (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (650 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D MII as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
27
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average (1,550g)
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Canon 1D MII vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D MII and Pentax 645Z
 Canon EOS-1D Mark IIPentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS-1D Mark II Pentax 645Z
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2004-06-14 2014-04-15
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Medium format
Sensor measurements 28.7 x 19.1mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 548.2mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 51 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 3504 x 2336 8256 x 6192
Highest native ISO 3200 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 45 27
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Pentax 645AF2
Total lenses 250 6
Crop factor 1.3 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options External Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1565g (3.45 lb) 1550g (3.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 156 x 158 x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 101
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 14.7
DXO Low light score 1003 4505
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), SD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots One Dual
Pricing at launch $6,500 $5,024