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Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
51
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Nikon D1 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Nikon D1
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1200g - 157 x 153 x 85mm
  • Launched November 2000
  • New Model is Nikon D1X
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Launched March 2010
  • Replacement is Pentax 645Z
Photography Glossary

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon D1 versus Pentax 645D, both Pro DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the D1 (3MP) and 645D (40MP) and the D1 (APS-C) and 645D (Medium format) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The D1 was brought out 10 years earlier than the 645D which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the D1 scores vs the 645D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D1 over the Pentax 645D

 D1 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Nikon D1

 645D D1 
LaunchedMarch 2010November 2000Newer by 113 months
Screen size3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k130kCrisper screen (+791k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D1 and Pentax 645D

 D1 645D 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D1 enjoys outer measurements of 157mm x 153mm x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 1200 grams (2.65 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") having a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D1 versus Pentax 645D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the D1 and the 645D.

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D1 and 645D is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D1 and 645D.

All in all, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D1 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax 645D will produce more detail having its extra 37MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax 645D Portrait photography advice
50
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (40 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D1 Street photography features
Pentax 645D Street photography features
48
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
58
great sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax 645D Sports photography highlights
40
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
63
megapixel count fantastic (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
28
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
55
environment proof
megapixel count fantastic (40MP)
not so great battery (800 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D1
Landscape photography with Pentax 645D
42
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (3MP)
no Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count fantastic (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D1 Vlogging features
Pentax 645D Vlogging features
9
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Nikon D1 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D1 and Pentax 645D
 Nikon D1Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D1 Pentax 645D
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2000-11-27 2010-03-10
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C Medium format
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 3 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Maximum resolution 2000 x 1312 7264 x 5440
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Amount of lenses 309 6
Focal length multiplier 1.5 0.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 130k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1200 grams (2.65 lbs) 1480 grams (3.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 157 x 153 x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1262
Other
Battery life - 800 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at launch $5,130 $4,000