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Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69
Nikon D4 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D3S
  • Replacement is Nikon D4s
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
  • Refreshed by Pentax 645Z
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Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Nikon D4 and Pentax 645D, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the D4 (16MP) and 645D (40MP) and the D4 (Full frame) and 645D (Medium format) come with totally different sensor size.

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The D4 was released 23 months after the 645D which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D4 grades versus the 645D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Pentax 645D

 D4 645D 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2010More modern by 23 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Nikon D4

 645D D4 

Common features in the Nikon D4 and Pentax 645D

 D4 645D 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D4 comes with exterior measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") along with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D4 and Pentax 645D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the D4 against the 645D.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D4 and 645D is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The image here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D4 and 645D.

All in all, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D4 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax 645D will give greater detail as a result of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent D4 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D4 Portrait photography factors
Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (40MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D4 Street photography factors
Pentax 645D Street photography factors
56
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
58
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Sports photography camera
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
63
megapixel count amazing (40MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D4 Travel photography information
Pentax 645D Travel photography information
59
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
megapixel count amazing (40 megapixels)
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count amazing (40 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
does not have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D4
Vlogging with Pentax 645D
26
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Nikon D4 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D4 and Pentax 645D
 Nikon D4Pentax 645D
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D4 Pentax 645D
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2012-01-06 2010-03-10
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 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 16 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 4928 x 3280 7264 x 5440
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Amount of lenses 309 6
Focal length multiplier 1 0.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD with brightness control 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 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 lb) 1480 grams (3.26 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 89 82
DXO Color Depth score 24.7 24.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 12.6
DXO Low light score 2965 1262
Other
Battery life 2600 photographs 800 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage CompactFlash, XQD SD/SDHC
Card slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $4,500 $4,000