Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax 645Z

Following is a extensive overview of the Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax 645Z, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the ZS100 (20MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the ZS100 (1") and 645Z (Medium format) provide different sensor sizing.

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The ZS100 was introduced 21 months after the 645Z which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ZS100 matches up vs the 645Z in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 and Pentax 645Z. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS100 Gallery and Pentax 645Z Gallery.

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS100 has got outside dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) while 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).

Look at the Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax 645Z in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS100 vs the 645Z.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS100 and 645Z is 87 and 49 respectively.

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out specs. The image here should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS100 and 645Z.

All in all, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS100 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax 645Z will produce greater detail using its extra 31MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent ZS100 should have a benefit in sensor tech.