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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Replaced the Pentax 645D
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax 645Z, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ3 was announced 15 months before the 645Z making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ3 matches up versus the 645Z when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax 645Z

 SZ3 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic SZ3

 645Z SZ3 
RevealedApril 2014January 2013More modern by 15 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax 645Z

 SZ3 645Z 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 offers outer measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and 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 SZ3 versus Pentax 645Z in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ3 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and 645Z is 96 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and 645Z.

Plainly, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ3 having a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax 645Z will give greater detail with its extra 35MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Pentax 645Z
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
88
manual focus
amazing megapixels (51MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Sports photography camera
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
71
amazing megapixels (51MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (650 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax 645Z Travel photography details
71
lighter than others (126g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
environment proof
amazing megapixels (51MP)
low battery pack (650 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (1,550g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Pentax 645Z
39
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
amazing megapixels (51 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
low battery pack (650 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax 645Z
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
27
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,550g)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax 645Z
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax 645Z
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2014-04-15
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 16 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 8256 x 6192
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 27
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 1550 gr (3.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photos 650 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots One Two
Retail price $150 $5,024