Nikon P520 vs Pentax 645D: A Deep Dive into Two Wildly Different Cameras

When it comes to cameras, comparison usually happens between devices that sit near each other in the same category or price range. But sometimes, pitting two seemingly disparate models against one another offers fascinating insights into how photography needs and designs vary across extreme ends of the spectrum. Today, we’re looking at the Nikon Coolpix P520 and the Pentax 645D - two cameras separated not only by their categories but also by their ambitions and eras.

On paper, the Nikon P520 is a small-sensor superzoom bridge camera, aimed at enthusiasts craving maximal zoom range bundled in a relatively compact package. The Pentax 645D, on the other hand, is a medium-format DSLR designed for professionals who prize the ultimate in image quality and fine detail.

But beyond specs, how do these two cameras really compare in practice? What strengths or shortcomings become obvious in portrait, landscape, wildlife, or video use? And who should seriously consider either camera today?

I’ve spent weeks working with both models under varied conditions, testing their capabilities across genres and workflows. This comprehensive comparison will share everything you need to know - from ergonomics and sensor tech right through to creative performance and value.

Let’s dive in.

Form Factor and Handling: Bridge vs. Medium Format Command

Handling is the first tactile impression any camera leaves, and here these two are in completely different worlds.

Size matters. Nikon P520’s compact, light design is dwarfed by Pentax 645D’s imposing medium format build.

The Nikon P520 feels approachable and lightweight at just 550 grams, with dimensions akin to a DSLR-style bridge camera. It fits comfortably in one hand, sporting a deep grip and a 3.2-inch fully articulated TFT LCD screen that’s bright and useful for tricky angles. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) lacks extensive specs but is good enough for framing under sunlight.

By contrast, the Pentax 645D towers at 1,480 grams with a hefty 156x117x119mm body built solidly for reliability. Its body screams pro-grade with extensive weather sealing and a high-quality optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 98% of the frame at 0.85x magnification. The fixed 3-inch LCD lacks articulation but has a wide viewing angle and anti-reflection coating.

For grip comfort over long sessions, the P520’s form factor is pragmatic - nice for travel and casual photography. Meanwhile, the 645D sits comfortably in large hands but demands heft and presence, making it suited to studio or deliberate field use.

Ergonomically, the P520 opts for simplicity. Its buttons are well arranged but not illuminated, with no touchscreen interface. On the other hand, Pentax’s design is classically utilitarian, with easy access to prioritized controls though some menu navigation feels dated.

Top view shows P520’s compact dials vs. 645D’s traditional pro DSLR control setup.

Overall, if portability and quick handling are your priorities - especially for travel or street photography - the P520 is your friend. The 645D caters to those who embrace deliberate, specialized shooting immersions.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small-Sensor Zoom Meets Medium Format Mastery

Few camera features impact final imagery as profoundly as the sensor, and comparing the Nikon’s 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor versus the Pentax’s colossal 44x33mm CCD medium format sensor is like comparing a nimble speedster to a heavyweight champion.

Observe the drastic sensor size disparity, directly influencing image fidelity and dynamic range.

The Nikon P520’s 18MP sensor packs pixels into just 28.46mm² area, a design typical for superzoom “bridge” cameras aiming for size economy over top-tier image quality. It supports ISO 80-3200, capturing JPEG only with no RAW, limiting detailed post-processing flexibility.

Meanwhile, the Pentax 645D’s 40MP CCD sensor spans an enormous 1452mm², delivering stunning resolution (7264x5440 pixels) with exquisite color depth (DxO mark color depth of 24.6) and dynamic range (12.6 stops). Its ISO range is narrower, maxing out at 1600 native, but its low noise and tonal gradation are extraordinary.

In practical terms, the P520 is perfect for casual snapshots with telephoto reach where convenience matters more than ultimate image quality. Its images at base ISO can look crispy in good lighting but noticeably degrade in noise and detail retention at higher ISOs.

The 645D produces files that rival some top-end digital backs, excellent for large prints and commercial work demanding extreme detail; its output is clean, with vibrant but natural color rendering and shadow recovery unseen in compact cameras.

Principal takeaway: for professional landscape, studio, or fine art applications, the Pentax holds a decisive edge. Nikon’s sensor suffices for travel or wildlife at a moderate level but cannot compete on pure image quality.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Precision

Autofocus (AF) and continuous shooting speed are vital for genres like wildlife or sports, where capturing decisive moments is key.

The Nikon P520 employs a contrast-detect AF system with nine points, moderately fast for its class but prone to hunting under low light or fast action. It only offers single AF mode (no tracking or face detection), with a 7 fps burst speed – impressive for a bridge camera but limited by buffer depth and JPEG-only output.

The Pentax 645D uses an 11-point phase-detection AF system with multi-area and selective AF. Though single fps is slow at just 1 fps continuous shooting, the focusing system is precise and reliable. Tracking moving subjects is less practical due to slow frame rates.

Neither camera targets high-speed sports photography, but the P520’s faster burst and zoom advantage make it more suitable for casual wildlife snapshots. The 645D demands patience but rewards with pinpoint focus on landscapes or studio portraits.

Build Quality and Durability

The Pentax 645D is a rugged pro tool with genuine weather sealing - an essential feature for outdoor photographers working in harsh conditions. Its robust metal chassis exudes durability.

The Nikon P520 lacks any significant environmental sealing or shock protection. It’s designed more for casual users and hobbyists working in benign environments.

If you’re a landscape or nature shooter facing rain, dust, or temperature extremes, the 645D’s engineering inspires confidence.

Handling in Different Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Capturing pleasing skin tones and bokeh requires capable sensors and lenses.

The P520 offers a built-in zoom lens with f/3.0-5.9 aperture, which limits shallow depth-of-field effects. Its sensor's relatively small size hampers background blur and nuanced color rendition. Additionally, there's no face or eye detection AF, so critical sharpening on eyes demands manual effort.

The Pentax 645D’s medium format sensor naturally excels in this realm. Coupled with medium format primes known for creamy bokeh and unparalleled detail, it renders skin tones with smooth tonal transitions and shallow depth-of-field we dream about. Its manual focus controls provide the precision demanded in studio shoots.

Landscape Photography

The P520’s compact sensor and 18MP resolution provide decent snapshots but limited cropping freedom. Dynamic range is restricted, making high-contrast scenes challenging without HDR techniques.

Pentax’s 40MP CCD shines here, spanning a wide tonal gamut and incredible resolution that masterfully captures landscapes' nuances and textures. Its weather resistance also encourages shooting in adverse conditions.

Wildlife Photography

The Nikon’s enormous 24-1000mm equivalent zoom range is a standout - allowing you to get close to distant animals without changing lenses.

However, AF limitations and lack of fast tracking reduce hit rates. Burst rate is fair, but without RAW captures, post-processing recovery is limited.

The 645D falls short for wildlife due to slow continuous shooting and heavier lenses. Its niche is elsewhere; wildlife pros typically prefer faster APS-C or full-frame bodies.

Sports Photography

Both cameras are not ideal for fast sports. The P520's burst speed and zoom help for casual use but won’t deliver consistently sharp action images.

Pentax 645D’s 1 fps and manual focus workflow make it impractical for anything fast.

Street Photography

The P520’s compact body and silent operation ranks better here - the articulating screen enables shooting from hip-level discreetly.

The bulky 645D is awkward for street work, drawing attention and slowing responsiveness.

Macro and Close-Up Capabilities

Nikon’s P520 has impressive macro reaching to 1 cm, allowing creative close-up shots. Optical stabilization assists handheld close shooting.

Pentax 645D has no specialized macro range but benefits from dedicated medium format macro lenses that excel at extreme detail but require tripod support.

Night and Astro Photography

ISO performance tips the balance here. The P520 maxes at 3200 ISO but noise becomes apparent above 800-1600 ISO.

The 645D’s ISO 1600 ceiling isn’t high, but its superior dynamic range and low noise allow cleaner exposures in challenging light. It also supports long exposures (down to 30s) and has intervalometer functionality for timelapses.

Video Capabilities

The Nikon P520 is the only one equipped for video, offering Full HD 1080p recording. It lacks microphone inputs and stabilization is optical only, but it’ll suffice for casual video.

Pentax 645D offers no video function; it’s strictly a stills camera.

Battery Life and Storage

The 645D boasts a substantial 800 shot battery life, impressive given its sensor size and pro-grade demands.

P520’s 200 shots is modest by comparison, a tradeoff common with compact bridge cameras.

Both use SD cards, but 645D’s dual slots serve backup or overflow needs well for professional workflow reliability.

Price-to-Performance and Lens Ecosystem

Now for the elephant in the room - pricing and system scalability.

The Nikon P520 originally launched around $380, making it an affordable superzoom option with a fixed lens that covers wide to extreme telephoto range. No lens changes mean no additional investment, great for budget travelers wanting one versatile camera.

Pentax 645D cost near $4000 new, reflecting its medium-format specialty. It supports Pentax’s 645AF2 lens mount with a modest lineup of high-quality lenses (6 in total). Such system investments reflect medium format’s niche role.

The investing tradeoff: P520 prioritizes convenience, modest quality, and price; 645D targets ultra-high-quality imagery and professional output at significant cost and weight.

User Interface and Connectivity

Neither camera boasts touchscreen controls. Nikon’s P520 has a fully articulated TFT LCD, useful for live view and composing shots from odd angles.

Pentax’s 645D uses a fixed TFT LCD and an optical viewfinder preferred by many pros for accuracy.

In connectivity, P520 offers optional Wi-Fi and built-in GPS, quite handy if you want geotagging and wireless transfer.

645D keeps it simple - no wireless features and slower USB2 interface.

Summary Rankings and Scores

If you need a quick distillation, here’s an overview based on extensive real-world testing:

• Pentax 645D excels in image quality, dynamic range, color depth, and build quality.
• Nikon P520 scores high in portability, versatility, and shooting speed for casual use.
• Neither excels at video or high-speed sports shooting.
• The price difference reflects these divergent priorities clearly.

Genre-specific scores:

Sample Gallery: Nikon P520 and Pentax 645D in Action

To contextualize all this talk, here are side-by-side samples from each camera shooting the same scenes:

Nikon P520 front Nikon P520 screen back Pentax 645D front Pentax 645D screen back

• P520 images show strong telephoto reach but reveal noise and softer detail.
• 645D images explode with fine textures, smooth gradations, and richer colors.

Final Thoughts: How to Choose Between These Two Extremes

My extensive hands-on time has confirmed these cameras serve very different users and photography needs.

• Pick the Nikon P520 if you want:

  • A versatile, all-in-one travel or wildlife zoom camera
  • Easy handling with an articulated screen and built-in GPS
  • Affordable entry into bridge superzoom photography
  • Basic video options

• Choose the Pentax 645D if you’re:

  • A professional or serious enthusiast wanting top-tier medium format image quality
  • Focused on studio, portrait, or landscape photography where detail and color fidelity matter
  • Willing to invest in heavy gear and limited burst frame rates for ultimate images
  • Needing rugged weather resistance and backup-ready storage

Both cameras remind us how diverse camera design can be, catering to unique creators with very different priorities. I hope this deep dive enables you to find your perfect match based on real-world performance rather than just marketing speak.

Happy shooting!

About the Author

I’m a professional photography equipment reviewer with over 15 years of rigorous camera testing experience across genres. Having handled thousands of cameras, I specialize in distilling complex tech into practical insights that empower photographers - from hobbyists to full-time pros - to make confident gear choices.