Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax 645Z

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax 645Z, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the XS1 (16MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the XS1 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) posses different sensor measurements.

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The XS1 was introduced 15 months before the 645Z making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the XS1 scores vs the 645Z with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 & Pentax 645Z. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic XS1 Gallery & Pentax 645Z Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic XS1 has got physical measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") accompanied by a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

See the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax 645Z in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the XS1 and the 645Z.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and 645Z is 97 and 49 respectively.

Generally, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the XS1 and 645Z.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XS1 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax 645Z will render greater detail using its extra 35MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older XS1 will be behind in sensor technology.