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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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
  • Announced March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and 645D (40MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and 645D (Medium format) provide totally different sensor size.

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The ZS1 was unveiled 10 months before the 645D and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS1 scores vs the 645D for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax 645D

 ZS1 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic ZS1

 645D ZS1 
AnnouncedMarch 2010May 2009More modern by 10 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax 645D

 ZS1 645D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 provides external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") and a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the ZS1 vs the 645D.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS1 and 645D is 91 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The image underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS1 and 645D.

To sum up, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS1 with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax 645D will give more detail having an extra 30MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Portrait photography camera
25
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
77
manual focus
resolution is excellent (40MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
58
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
Sports photography with Pentax 645D
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
63
resolution is excellent (40 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average (229 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
55
environment proofing
resolution is excellent (40MP)
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Landscape photography camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is excellent (40MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
Vlogging with Pentax 645D
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
9
no video recording
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax 645D
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax 645D
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Revealed 2009-05-14 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 6.3 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - 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
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 pounds) 1480 grams (3.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 - 800 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 2
Cost at launch $0 $4,000