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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Revealed March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax 645D, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and 645D (40MP) and the ZR3 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZR3 was manufactured within a month of the 645D which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZR3 scores against the 645D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax 645D

 ZR3 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic ZR3

 645D ZR3 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax 645D

 ZR3 645D 
RevealedJanuary 2010March 2010Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR3 enjoys outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax 645D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR3 compared to the 645D.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and 645D is 94 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR3 and 645D.

As you can see, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZR3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax 645D will deliver more detail due to its extra 26MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics more aggressively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
focusing manually
MP count great (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
Street photography with Pentax 645D
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
58
big sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Sports photography camera
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
63
MP count great (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
55
environment proof
MP count great (40MP)
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Landscape photography camera
37
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count great (40 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Pentax 645D
29
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax 645D
Alternate name Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-26 2010-03-10
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 7264 x 5440
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - 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
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format AVCHD Lite -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 159 gr (0.35 lb) 1480 gr (3.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 800 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One Dual
Price at release $280 $4,000