Nikon S3600 vs Pentax 645D

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon S3600 versus Pentax 645D, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the S3600 (20MP) and 645D (40MP) and the S3600 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) use different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The S3600 was brought out 3 years after the 645D which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S3600 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the S3600 matches up vs the 645D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S3600 & Pentax 645D. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S3600 Gallery & Pentax 645D Gallery.

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon S3600 features outside dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") and a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S3600 versus Pentax 645D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the S3600 and the 645D.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S3600 and 645D is 96 and 50 respectively.

Often, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The pic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3600 and 645D.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S3600 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will resolve greater detail having its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger S3600 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.