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Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
51
Imaging
67
Features
65
Overall
66
Nikon D3X front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Nikon D3X
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1260g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D2Xs
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Superseded the Pentax 645D
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Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon D3X versus Pentax 645Z, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D3X (25MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the D3X (Full frame) and 645Z (Medium format) use different sensor sizes.

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The D3X was launched 6 years earlier than the 645Z which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the D3X scores versus the 645Z with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3X over the Pentax 645Z

 D3X 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Nikon D3X

 645Z D3X 
IntroducedApril 2014February 2009Newer by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3X and Pentax 645Z

 D3X 645Z 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3X features external dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") having a weight of 1260 grams (2.78 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645Z has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") having a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3X versus Pentax 645Z in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the D3X and the 645Z.

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D3X and 645Z is 51 and 49 respectively.

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3X and 645Z.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D3X due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax 645Z will offer more detail utilizing its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged D3X is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3X Portrait photography info
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography info
80
has manual focus
fantastic sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
88
you can focus manually
megapixel count excellent (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3X
Street photography with Pentax 645Z
57
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
63
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is big (Medium format)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
very good high ISO (204,800)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3X Sports photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Sports photography highlights
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
fantastic sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proofing
good battery power (4,400 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
71
megapixel count excellent (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3X as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Travel photography camera
63
good battery power (4,400 per charge)
weather proofing
fantastic sensor resolution (25MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
weather proof
megapixel count excellent (51MP)
not so great battery life (650 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,550g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3X
Landscape photography with Pentax 645Z
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
fantastic sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery power (4,400 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count excellent (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (650 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3X Vlogging details
Pentax 645Z Vlogging details
9
no video recording
27
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,550g)
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Nikon D3X vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3X and Pentax 645Z
 Nikon D3XPentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3X Pentax 645Z
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2009-02-19 2014-04-15
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 6048 x 4032 8256 x 6192
Max native ISO 1600 204800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 51 27
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Total lenses 309 6
Crop factor 1 0.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.85x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain 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
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1260 gr (2.78 pounds) 1550 gr (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 Overall score 88 101
DXO Color Depth score 24.7 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.7 14.7
DXO Low light score 1992 4505
Other
Battery life 4400 photographs 650 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL4a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots Two Two
Cost at release $3,000 $5,024