Olympus E-600 vs Pentax 645D

Olympus E-600 vs. Pentax 645D: A Tale of Two Cameras From Different Worlds

When you put an Olympus E-600 next to a Pentax 645D on a table, you’re basically witnessing a clash of photographic universes. One’s a compact, entry-level DSLR designed for eager beginners and casual shooters; the other a hefty medium-format behemoth aimed at pros unwilling to compromise on image quality. After testing both extensively over many shooting sessions, I’m here to unpack the mysteries beneath their specs, revealing what their differences mean in real life. Which is right for your style, budget, or ambitions? Let’s dive in.

Setting the Stage: Size, Feel, and Handling

Right off the bat, the Olympus E-600 feels like a lightweight travel companion - physically compact and pleasantly manageable for small hands, weighing only 515 grams with dimensions roughly 130x94x60mm. This translates to easy portability - less strain during long days of shooting, particularly for street or travel photography. Its fully articulated 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD means you can shoot from odd angles without awkward body contortions, and the optical pentamirror viewfinder, while not fancy, performs decently with 95% coverage.

Contrast this with the Pentax 645D, sporting a solid 1480 grams and dimensions of 156x117x119mm - more than twice the weight and a footprint that means serious business. It’s a large SLR built like a tank with weather sealing, a commanding presence in your hands, and a bright pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage and 0.85x magnification - offering a clear, large image that makes manual focusing and composition a joy for those who appreciate precision. The 3-inch fixed TFT LCD features higher resolution (921k dots) but lacks articulation, so you’re more restricted in screen-based framing.

Ergonomically, Olympus leans towards simplicity: fewer buttons, modest control options, and beginner-friendly menus. Pentax, meanwhile, embeds more direct controls and a top LCD for quick status views, catering to pros who prefer tactile operation over diving into menus. Both have faced the challenge of balancing usability and complexity - but their audience and philosophy couldn’t be more distinct.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny vs. Titan

Anyone who’s dealt with sensor sizes knows that bigger generally means better - but let’s not shut the door on the Micro Four Thirds sensor of the E-600 just yet.

Olympus’s E-600 features a 17.3 x 13mm Four Thirds sensor, with a 12-megapixel resolution yielding a maximum native ISO of 3200. It includes a low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter to mitigate moiré, and image quality scores from DxOmark indicate a moderate 55 overall, with 21.5 bits color depth and dynamic range of about 10.3 stops - respectable for its class back in 2009. As expected, the sensor struggles somewhat in low light (DxO low light ISO ~541), but image output is detailed, with good color fidelity and noise control at lower ISOs.

Now, the Pentax 645D - a true heavyweight medium format - sports a massive 44 x 33mm CCD sensor clocking a staggering 40 megapixels. Without an anti-aliasing filter, it squeezes every last bit of sharpness and resolution from its 7264x5440 max image size. The sensor’s aspect ratio matches Olympus in 4:3 but covers a sensor area roughly 6.5 times larger, resulting in stunning image clarity and depth. DxOmark crowns it with an overall score of 82, color depth of 24.6 bits, and dynamic range topping 12.6 stops. Its native ISO tops out at 1600 - lower than the Olympus’s max ISO - but with vastly superior low light noise handling (DxO low light ISO at 1262) thanks to the medium format sensor's physics.

In real-world shooting, landscapes and portraits shot with the 645D reveal richer tonality, better gradations in skin tones, and extra dimension in shadows and highlights. The Olympus, while respectable, inevitably shows its size-limited sensor in challenging lighting - grain and detail loss creep in beyond ISO 800.

What does this mean for you? If ultimate image quality, resolution, and dynamic range seal the deal, Pentax’s medium format dominates. For casual, everyday shooting or snapping quick portraits and street scenes, Olympus packs a punch without the bulk.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: From Quick Quirks to Precise Glories

Autofocus performance can make or break a shooting experience, especially when chasing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports.

The E-600 employs a 7-point autofocus system with contrast and phase detection, including face detection – a thoughtful feature for its time and target market. Its autofocus speed and accuracy are decent, suitable for family snaps or casual portraits, but it lacks the sophisticated tracking and cross-type focus points to lock onto erratic subjects reliably. Continuous shooting hits 4 frames per second - not blazing but fair for an entry-level DSLR in 2009.

The Pentax 645D, meanwhile, boasts an 11-point AF system with phase detection points and selective AF area modes. While not designed for rapid continuous bursts (max 1 fps), its autofocus is precise and reliable, optimized for studio or landscape work demanding methodical composition rather than action sequences. Interestingly, it misses advanced autofocus aids like face detection, but given its pricing and target use (e.g., controlled shoots), that’s hardly a deal-breaker.

Neither offers video recording capabilities - an important note for those wanting hybrid video/photo devices.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

The Olympus E-600’s compact plastic body and lack of any significant sealing mean it’s vulnerable to dust and moisture. It’s a lightweight, nimble camera more at home indoors or dry conditions. If you want ruggedness, you’ll need an external protective case.

Pentax’s 645D shines here, featuring serious weather sealing that keeps dust and moisture at bay - essential for outdoor pros shooting landscapes or commercial assignments. Its robust magnesium alloy chassis commands respect and invites rugged use without worry. Practicality in build contributes significantly to the overall reliability of the camera during long professional shoots.

Screens, Viewfinders, and User Interfaces: The Window to Your Creativity

Olympus scores points with its fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD screen, albeit modest 2.7 inches and 230k-dot resolution. This flexibility allows creative framing for macro, low-angle, or high-angle shots - perfect for beginners tackling challenging compositions. The on-screen UI is intuitive but basic. No touchscreen or illuminated buttons limit quick navigation in dim environments.

Pentax sticks to a fixed 3-inch TFT screen with wide viewing angles and anti-reflective coating - very sharp at 921k dots, but you’ll find no flexibility in positioning. The top LCD adds quick glance access to exposure settings, a feature appreciated by working professionals. Shame the 645D lacks touch interface, but its users tend to prefer tactile dials.

The optical viewfinders on both are commendable: Olympus with a pentamirror giving decent coverage and Pentax's pentaprism providing a brighter, more precise viewing experience. For manual focusing or critical framing (especially relevant for the 645D's high resolution imagery), this large pentaprism viewfinder is invaluable.

Lens Ecosystem: The Gear You Attach Matters

Olympus cameras use the Micro Four Thirds mount, boasting an extensive range of over 45 lenses across focal lengths, apertures, and specialties (macro, telephoto, primes). Its shooting flexibility and affordability are amplified by this ecosystem, supporting budget-conscious shooters and travel photographers alike.

Pentax 645D speaks the rarified language of medium format lenses - only six native Pentax 645AF2 lenses exist, offering superb optics but at a considerably premium price and weight. These mediums format lenses deliver extraordinary sharpness and creamy bokeh but restrict casual users who must plan lens choices carefully given size and cost.

The Olympus system's lighter lenses improve portability and spontaneity; the Pentax system emphasizes uncompromising image quality with fewer but stellar optics.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Olympus E-600’s BLS-1 battery yields a notably strong 500 shot capacity, especially impressive for its class. Storage allows either Compact Flash or xD Picture Card - dual options that were convenient back then but today seem archaic considering the ubiquity of SD cards.

The Pentax 645D leverages the D-LI90 battery delivering about 800 shots per charge - a boon for long studio or location shoots avoiding power interruption. Its dual SD/SDHC card slots afford redundancy or expanded capacity, a professional-level convenience missing from Olympus.

Connectivity in both is minimal: just USB 2.0 with no wireless features or HDMI output - cameras from this era often focus on solid imaging rather than the instant social sharing popularized more recently.

Real Shooting Disciplines – Which Camera Excels Where?

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of actual photographic genres and how these two cameras stack up - because specs only get you so far when the shutter clicks.

Portrait Photography

The Pentax’s gargantuan sensor and superb lenses coax incredible depth, smooth skin tones, and luscious bokeh. Its color depth and dynamic range mean subtle lighting nuances are captured faithfully - making it a dream for portrait pros or fine art photographers.

Olympus competes admirably with good face detection, stabilisation, and a decent lens lineup, but its small sensor limits tonality and shallow depth of field options comparatively. Fast primes for MFT can still deliver beautiful portraits, making the E-600 a solid choice for enthusiasts.

Landscape Photography

Pentax 645D is a no-brainer landscape champion. High megapixels, vast dynamic range, and weather-sealed build make it perfect for capturing complex scenes with intricate detail, from shadowed forests to sun-drenched mountain vistas.

Olympus can produce sharp landscapes with stabilized lenses but lacks the resolution or weather protection to really shine outdoors under demanding conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera can be called an ideal wildlife or sports tool outright, but Olympus E-600’s faster 4fps burst and lighter body offer a lightweight option for casual sports. Its limited autofocus points, however, struggle with unpredictable movement.

Pentax 645D’s one shot per second frame rate and manual-heavy operation make it ill-suited for dynamic wildlife or sports action. Also, the size and weight affect mobility negatively.

Street Photography and Travel

E-600’s small size, light weight, and articulated screen make it a more attractive shoot-on-the-move camera. Its lower noise at base ISO and fairly quick AF are helpful in candid scenes or dim environments. Though its kit lenses are larger than mirrorless equivalents, this is still a nimble package.

Pentax 645D? Think lumbering tripod companion for deliberate, composed urban or rural shots where image quality trumps stealth and speed.

Macro Photography

Olympus benefits from excellent image stabilization and a strong micro four-thirds lens selection for macro, letting you approach subjects hand-held at close distances.

Pentax’s medium format footprint and lack of in-body stabilization make macro harder but not impossible - best done with stable tripods and longer setups.

Night and Astrophotography

Pentax’s dynamic range shines here, pulling details from shadows without monster noise at ISO 1600. High resolution captures star detail with minimal noise, making it a powerful astro tool - if you can keep it steady.

Olympus’s better high-ISO capability over previous generations helps, but noise rises sharply beyond ISO 400-800. Expect shorter exposures or brighter scenes.

Video Capabilities

A non-contest; neither supports video. Olympus lacks any video mode, while Pentax’s design focus is purely stills.

Professional Use and Workflow

Pentax 645D’s medium format files, exceptional color depth, and sturdy build make it a workflow powerhouse for studios or commercial photographers who value post-processing latitude.

Olympus’s more consumer-oriented output and modest build limit professional reliability but provide flexible beginner-friendly features for learning photographers.

Olympus E 600 screen back Pentax 645D front Pentax 645D screen back

Technical Summary and Scoring

In aggregate testing and measured metrics, Pentax 645D emerges as a high-end medium format solution, excelling in image quality, build, and professional usability though compromising on speed, size, and versatility. Olympus E-600 holds its ground as a flexible, capable entry-level DSLR with modest but generally reliable features and performance.

In genre-specific scoring:

• Portraits and landscapes: Pentax wins comfortably
• Sports and wildlife: Olympus is the better option by practical default
• Travel and street: Olympus again preferable due to size and convenience
• Macro and night shooting: more nuanced, but Pentax edges forward for quality; Olympus for flexibility
• Video: neither recommended

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy What?

Feeling overloaded? Here’s the CliffsNotes of my personal tests and reflections.

Buy the Olympus E-600 if…

• You’re new to DSLR photography seeking a compact, easy-to-use camera with solid image quality
• Budget constraints make medium format impossible
• You want a versatile travel or street photography body with articulation and built-in stabilization
• Your subjects are mainly portraits, landscapes, or casual outdoor scenes under decent light
• You value good lens availability and lighter kit weight

Invest in the Pentax 645D if…

• You’re a professional or serious enthusiast needing peak image quality for studio, landscape, or fine art
• You shoot primarily stills and can invest in medium format lenses and careful handling
• Build quality, weather sealing, and workflow integration matter to you
• You target maximum resolution, color fidelity, and tonal precision
• Portability and video are not priorities

Wrapping Up

In the grand scheme, Olympus E-600 and Pentax 645D inhabit very different planets with a rift wider than the sensor gap itself. For the casual to intermediate shooter looking for an affordable, approachable camera, Olympus delivers joyful simplicity without too many compromises. Meanwhile, the Pentax 645D stands tall as a medium format titan - not merely a camera but a tool for image mastery, demanding respect, investment, and patience.

Whichever path you choose, remember: the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot, experiment, and grow. Both these models have stories to tell - if their formats and functions match your vision.

Happy shooting!