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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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
  • Launched March 2010
  • Successor is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax 645D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and 645D (40MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS5 was launched 4 months later than the 645D which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the ZS5 grades vs the 645D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax 645D

 ZS5 645D 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic ZS5

 645D ZS5 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax 645D

 ZS5 645D 
LaunchedJune 2010March 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has dimensions 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 ZS5 and Pentax 645D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS5 and the 645D.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and 645D is 92 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The photograph here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and 645D.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS5 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax 645D will show extra detail utilizing its extra 28 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
Pentax 645D Portrait photography information
27
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
focusing manually
MP count high (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
Pentax 645D Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
Pentax 645D Sports photography advice
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
63
MP count high (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
Pentax 645D Travel photography info
63
lighter than competition in class (214g)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
55
environment sealing
MP count high (40MP)
not so great battery (800 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax 645D Landscape photography highlights
33
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count high (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
does not have low pass filter
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645D as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax 645D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax 645D
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Introduced 2010-06-16 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 12 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen 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 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 214g (0.47 pounds) 1480g (3.26 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (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
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Two
Launch cost $300 $4,000