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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
81
Features
74
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS50
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Old Model is Pentax 645D
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax 645Z, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the ZS45 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS45 was manufactured 9 months after the 645Z which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS45 matches up vs the 645Z with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Pentax 645Z

 ZS45 645Z 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2014More modern by 9 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic ZS45

 645Z ZS45 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax 645Z

 ZS45 645Z 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS45 features external measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax 645Z has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") accompanied by a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax 645Z in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS45 compared to the 645Z.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS45 and 645Z is 91 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS45 and 645Z.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS45 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax 645Z will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 35MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern ZS45 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography information
Pentax 645Z Portrait photography information
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
88
you can focus manually
MP count high (51MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS45
Street photography with Pentax 645Z
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (249g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Medium format)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (204,800)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography information
Pentax 645Z Sports photography information
56
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
great battery pack (350 shots)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
71
MP count high (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (650 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography information
Pentax 645Z Travel photography information
71
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition (249 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
weather proofing
MP count high (51 megapixels)
bad battery life (650 CIPA)
heavier than others (1,550g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS45
Landscape photography with Pentax 645Z
48
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
MP count high (51MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (650 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging details
Pentax 645Z Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (249g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
27
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (1,550g)
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Pentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Pentax 645Z
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2014-04-15
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16MP 51MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 8256 x 6192
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 21 27
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 6
Crop factor 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/125 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 gr (0.55 lb) 1550 gr (3.42 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 101
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 4505
Other
Battery life 350 shots 650 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots Single Two
Launch price $300 $5,024