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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
81
Features
74
Overall
78

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released April 2008
  • Replacement is Nikon D3S
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Replaced the Pentax 645D
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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Nikon D3 versus Pentax 645Z, both Pro DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the D3 (Full frame) and 645Z (Medium format) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The D3 was brought out 7 years prior to the 645Z which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the D3 matches up vs the 645Z in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Pentax 645Z

 D3 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Nikon D3

 645Z D3 
IntroducedApril 2014April 2008Newer by 72 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k922kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Pentax 645Z

 D3 645Z 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D3 comes with exterior measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") and a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) whilst 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).

Look at the Nikon D3 versus Pentax 645Z in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the D3 compared to the 645Z.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3 and 645Z is 50 and 49 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The pic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3 and 645Z.

Plainly, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D3 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645Z will provide you with greater detail having its extra 39MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged D3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography details
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography details
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
88
has manual focus
MP count high (51MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography information
Pentax 645Z Street photography information
54
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
63
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average high ISO (204,800)
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography information
Pentax 645Z Sports photography information
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery life (4,300 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
71
MP count high (51MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low battery power (650 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Travel photography camera
51
good battery life (4,300 shots)
environment proofing
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
51
environment sealing
MP count high (51MP)
low battery power (650 CIPA)
heavier than others (1,550g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography factors
67
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery life (4,300 shots)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
MP count high (51MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low battery power (650 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
27
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,550g)
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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Pentax 645Z
 Nikon D3Pentax 645Z
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3 Pentax 645Z
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2008-04-18 2014-04-15
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 51MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Maximum resolution 4256 x 2832 8256 x 6192
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 51 27
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Number of lenses 309 6
Focal length multiplier 1 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300g (2.87 pounds) 1550g (3.42 pounds)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 81 101
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 14.7
DXO Low light rating 2290 4505
Other
Battery life 4300 images 650 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots 2 2
Retail price $5,450 $5,024