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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) 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
  • Announced March 2010
  • Updated by Pentax 645Z
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax 645D, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and 645D (40MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) posses different sensor size.

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The S3 was introduced 11 months later than the 645D and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S3 scores versus the 645D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax 645D

 S3 645D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011March 2010Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic S3

 645D S3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax 645D

 S3 645D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 enjoys outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax 645D has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax 645D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the S3 vs the 645D.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and 645D is 96 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and 645D.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S3 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will provide more detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger S3 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Portrait photography camera
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
77
has manual focus
MP count fantastic (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography advice
Pentax 645D Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
Pentax 645D Sports photography advice
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
63
MP count fantastic (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery power (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
Pentax 645D Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
55
environment sealing
MP count fantastic (40 megapixels)
low battery power (800 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax 645D Landscape photography highlights
38
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
MP count fantastic (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
no anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low battery power (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Pentax 645D Vlogging information
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
9
no video
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax 645D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax 645D
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone 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 117 grams (0.26 pounds) 1480 grams (3.26 pounds)
Physical 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 250 shots 800 shots
Style 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One Dual
Launch cost $110 $4,000