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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(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
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Announced March 2010
  • Replacement is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax 645D, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and 645D (40MP) and the S2 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S2 was launched 23 months after the 645D which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S2 matches up versus the 645D when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax 645D

 S2 645D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012March 2010Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic S2

 645D S2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax 645D

 S2 645D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 has got outer dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax 645D has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") and a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax 645D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the S2 against the 645D.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and 645D is 96 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and 645D.

As you can see, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S2 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax 645D will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent S2 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count excellent (40 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography info
Pentax 645D Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
58
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
Pentax 645D Sports photography factors
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 shots)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
63
megapixel count excellent (40MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
70
great battery power (280 CIPA)
lighter than others (112g)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
55
environment sealing
megapixel count excellent (40MP)
low battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax 645D Landscape photography factors
41
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
great battery power (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
megapixel count excellent (40MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
no anti-alias filter
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Pentax 645D
32
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax 645D
Category Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Launched 2012-01-09 2010-03-10
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112g (0.25 lb) 1480g (3.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1262
Other
Battery life 280 photos 800 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One Dual
Launch price $109 $4,000