Clicky

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
81
Features
74
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Older Model is Pentax 645D
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax 645Z, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the ZS7 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) offer different sensor sizing.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The ZS7 was launched 3 years earlier than the 645Z and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ZS7 scores against the 645Z when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax 645Z

 ZS7 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic ZS7

 645Z ZS7 
LaunchedApril 2014July 2011Fresher by 33 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax 645Z

 ZS7 645Z 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS7 enjoys outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax 645Z in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS7 against the 645Z.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS7 and 645Z is 91 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS7 and 645Z.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS7 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax 645Z will render greater detail utilizing its extra 39 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older ZS7 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
88
manual focus
megapixel count great (51MP)
big sensor size (Medium format)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Street photography factors
Pentax 645Z Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has a tilting screen
big sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good high ISO (204,800)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550 grams)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Sports photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
71
megapixel count great (51 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low battery power (650 per charge)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
63
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
environment sealing
megapixel count great (51MP)
low battery power (650 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,550 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography details
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography details
38
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count great (51 megapixels)
big sensor size (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
low battery power (650 per charge)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging details
Pentax 645Z Vlogging details
30
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
27
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550 grams)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax 645Z
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax 645Z
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Released 2011-07-19 2014-04-15
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II PRIME III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 51 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 8256 x 6192
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 27
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.9 0.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 lb) 1550g (3.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 101
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 4505
Other
Battery life - 650 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots 1 2
Cost at launch $350 $5,024