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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
73
Overall
59
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic LX100
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 393g - 115 x 66 x 55mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX100 II
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
  • Released April 2014
  • Superseded the Pentax 645D
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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic LX100 and Pentax 645Z, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the LX100 (13MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the LX100 (Four Thirds) and 645Z (Medium format) possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The LX100 was launched 6 months later than the 645Z so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the LX100 grades vs the 645Z with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 over the Pentax 645Z

 LX100 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic LX100

 645Z LX100 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX100 and Pentax 645Z

 LX100 645Z 
ReleasedSeptember 2014April 2014Same age
Manually focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic LX100 offers exterior measurements of 115mm x 66mm x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2") accompanied by a weight of 393 grams (0.87 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).

Analyze the Panasonic LX100 and Pentax 645Z in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the LX100 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the LX100 and 645Z is 83 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the LX100 and 645Z.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The LX100 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax 645Z will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 38 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Portrait photography details
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography details
70
you can focus manually
decent MP (13MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
88
manual focus
sensor resolution is amazing (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Street photography features
Pentax 645Z Street photography features
76
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
63
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Sports photography info
Pentax 645Z Sports photography info
67
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (13MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
71
sensor resolution is amazing (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX100
Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
75
offers focus via touch
decent MP (13 megapixels)
reasonably wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.7)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
51
weather proofing
sensor resolution is amazing (51MP)
not so great battery pack (650 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,550g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Landscape photography features
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography features
73
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (13MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is amazing (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (650 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.7)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
27
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550g)
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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX100 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100Pentax 645Z
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 Pentax 645Z
Category Large Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-15 2014-04-15
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Medium format
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4112 x 3088 8256 x 6192
Max native ISO 25600 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 27
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 24-75mm (3.1x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.7-2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 6
Crop factor 2.1 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,764 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.85x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, 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
Max 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 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 393 grams (0.87 lbs) 1550 grams (3.42 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 66 x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 101
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 14.7
DXO Low light rating 553 4505
Other
Battery life 300 images 650 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots One Dual
Price at release $800 $5,024