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Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Older Model is Pentax 645D
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the FH2 (14MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the FH2 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The FH2 was unveiled 4 years prior to the 645Z and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FH2 matches up vs the 645Z with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Pentax 645Z

 FH2 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic FH2

 645Z FH2 
AnnouncedApril 2014January 2011Fresher by 39 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Pentax 645Z

 FH2 645Z 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH2 offers exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Pentax 645Z has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") along with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FH2 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and 645Z is 96 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH2 and 645Z.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH2 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645Z will show greater detail having an extra 37 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older FH2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH2
Portrait photography with Pentax 645Z
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
88
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than average (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (204,800)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (1,550g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography details
Pentax 645Z Sports photography details
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (270 CIPA)
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
71
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (650 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
72
great battery life (270 shots)
lighter than average (121 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
environment proofing
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
bad battery power (650 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,550 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography highlights
41
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
great battery life (270 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (650 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax 645Z Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average (121g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
27
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (1,550g)
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Panasonic FH2 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Pentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Pentax 645Z
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Announced 2011-01-05 2014-04-15
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV PRIME III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 51MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 8256 x 6192
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 27
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121g (0.27 lb) 1550g (3.42 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 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 270 photos 650 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots One Dual
Launch cost $149 $5,024