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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Released March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the FZ40 (14MP) and 645D (40MP) and the FZ40 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ40 was announced 5 months after the 645D so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the FZ40 scores against the 645D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax 645D

 FZ40 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic FZ40

 645D FZ40 
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax 645D

 FZ40 645D 
ReleasedJuly 2010March 2010Same generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 comes with exterior dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") and a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 compared to the 645D.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and 645D is 68 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ40 and 645D.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FZ40 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax 645D will result in greater detail with its extra 26MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography info
Pentax 645D Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
77
you can focus manually
fantastic resolution (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography info
Pentax 645D Street photography info
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494g)
58
great sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Pentax 645D
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
63
fantastic resolution (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
Pentax 645D Travel photography details
54
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
environment proofing
fantastic resolution (40MP)
not so great battery (800 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
fantastic resolution (40MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
doesnt have low pass filter
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
Pentax 645D Vlogging details
23
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax 645D
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax 645D
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-21 2010-03-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 40MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 7264 x 5440
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format AVCHD Lite -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lbs) 1480 gr (3.26 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1262
Other
Battery life - 800 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at launch $420 $4,000