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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Launched November 2017
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
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Old Model is Pentax 645D
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic G9 versus Pentax 645Z, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and 645Z (Medium format) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The G9 was launched 3 years after the 645Z which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the G9 grades versus the 645Z in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Pentax 645Z

 G9 645Z 
RevealedNovember 2017April 2014More modern by 44 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic G9

 645Z G9 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Pentax 645Z

 G9 645Z 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic G9 comes with exterior measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") with a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") along with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic G9 versus Pentax 645Z in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the G9 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G9 and 645Z is 62 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The pic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G9 and 645Z.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G9 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax 645Z will give extra detail utilizing its extra 31MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger G9 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
88
manual focus
megapixel count high (51MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 Street photography information
Pentax 645Z Street photography information
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
63
screen tilts
big sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 Sports photography information
Pentax 645Z Sports photography information
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
low battery (400 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
71
megapixel count high (51MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography details
Pentax 645Z Travel photography details
70
environment sealing
has bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
low battery (400 per charge)
51
weather proof
megapixel count high (51MP)
bad battery (650 shots)
heavier than others in class (1,550 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 Landscape photography advice
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography advice
76
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
low battery (400 per charge)
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count high (51MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no image stabilization
bad battery (650 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging factors
Pentax 645Z Vlogging factors
76
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
27
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (1,550g)
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Pentax 645Z
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Pentax 645Z
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Launched 2017-11-08 2014-04-15
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Medium format
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 51 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 8256 x 6192
Highest native ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 225 27
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax 645AF2
Available lenses 107 6
Crop factor 2.1 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 658 grams (1.45 lbs) 1550 grams (3.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 101
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 4505
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 650 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $1,500 $5,024