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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Launched March 2010
  • Successor is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax 645D, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and 645D (40MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) possess different sensor size.

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The S1 was unveiled 11 months later than the 645D which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the S1 scores versus the 645D in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax 645D

 S1 645D 
LaunchedJanuary 2011March 2010More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic S1

 645D S1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax 645D

 S1 645D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 comes with exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") having a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax 645D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 compared to the 645D.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and 645D is 96 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The photograph here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and 645D.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax 645D will offer you more detail having an extra 28MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher S1 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is amazing (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography advice
Pentax 645D Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
58
big sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography features
Pentax 645D Sports photography features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
63
sensor resolution is amazing (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Pentax 645D
62
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
55
environment sealing
sensor resolution is amazing (40MP)
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography info
Pentax 645D Landscape photography info
32
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is amazing (40MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Pentax 645D Vlogging information
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
9
no video
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax 645D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax 645D
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 7264 x 5440
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 117g (0.26 lb) 1480g (3.26 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 240 photos 800 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $269 $4,000