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Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
75
Features
52
Overall
65

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Replaced the Nikon D3
  • Successor is Nikon D4
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
  • Revealed March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
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Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon D3S versus Pentax 645D, both Pro DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and 645D (40MP) and the D3S (Full frame) and 645D (Medium format) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The D3S was revealed at a similar time to the 645D and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D3S grades versus the 645D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Pentax 645D

 D3S 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Nikon D3S

 645D D3S 

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Pentax 645D

 D3S 645D 
RevealedFebruary 2010March 2010Same age
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3S offers outside measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) and the Pentax 645D has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3S versus Pentax 645D in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the D3S vs the 645D.

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D3S and 645D is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D3S and 645D.

Clearly, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D3S with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will provide more detail because of its extra 28 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3S Portrait photography factors
Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
64
has manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
77
manual focus
amazing MP (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Street photography camera
55
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
58
big sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Sports photography camera
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery (4,200 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
62
amazing MP (40MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3S
Travel photography with Pentax 645D
51
great battery (4,200 per charge)
environment sealing
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
55
environment proof
amazing MP (40MP)
terrible battery (800 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography factors
Pentax 645D Landscape photography factors
67
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery (4,200 shots)
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
amazing MP (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
does not have low pass filter
saves RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3S
Vlogging with Pentax 645D
15
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Pentax 645D
 Nikon D3SPentax 645D
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3S Pentax 645D
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2010-02-16 2010-03-10
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 40MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Total lenses 309 6
Focal length multiplier 1 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) 1480 grams (3.26 lbs)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 12.6
DXO Low light rating 3253 1262
Other
Battery life 4200 photos 800 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $5,200 $4,000