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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z 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
  • Released January 2011
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
  • Superseded the Pentax 645D
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic S1 and Pentax 645Z, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) use different sensor measurements.

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The S1 was introduced 4 years earlier than the 645Z and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S1 grades versus the 645Z for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax 645Z

 S1 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic S1

 645Z S1 
AnnouncedApril 2014January 2011Fresher by 39 months
Manually focus Very 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 S1 and Pentax 645Z

 S1 645Z 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 provides physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645Z has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") having a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S1 and Pentax 645Z in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S1 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and 645Z is 96 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and 645Z.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax 645Z will render extra detail using its extra 39 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older S1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
88
you can focus manually
amazing sensor resolution (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Pentax 645Z
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great high ISO (204,800)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
71
amazing sensor resolution (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography info
Pentax 645Z Travel photography info
62
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
environment proof
amazing sensor resolution (51 megapixels)
not so great battery (650 shots)
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography advice
32
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
amazing sensor resolution (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (650 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Pentax 645Z
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
27
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax 645Z
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax 645Z
Category Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2014-04-15
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 8256 x 6192
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 27
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125 secs
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) 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 117g (0.26 pounds) 1550g (3.42 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 240 images 650 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots Single 2
Price at launch $269 $5,024