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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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
  • Introduced March 2010
  • Newer Model is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and 645D (40MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS3 was introduced 10 months prior to the 645D so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS3 grades versus the 645D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax 645D

 ZS3 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic ZS3

 645D ZS3 
IntroducedMarch 2010May 2009Newer by 10 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax 645D

 ZS3 645D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS3 features external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 versus the 645D.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and 645D is 91 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and 645D.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS3 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax 645D will render more detail using its extra 30 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Pentax 645D Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
77
has manual focus
resolution is great (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
Pentax 645D Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
Pentax 645D Sports photography details
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
63
resolution is great (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography details
Pentax 645D Travel photography details
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
55
environment proofing
resolution is great (40 megapixels)
low battery (800 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Pentax 645D
35
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is great (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low battery (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645D as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
9
no video recording
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax 645D
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Released 2009-05-14 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 7264 x 5440
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format AVCHD Lite -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 lb) 1480 grams (3.26 lb)
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 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One Two
Retail cost $200 $4,000