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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
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
  • Previous Model is Pentax 645D
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax 645Z, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) come with different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The ZS8 was brought out 3 years earlier than the 645Z which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS8 scores against the 645Z in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax 645Z

 ZS8 645Z 

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Panasonic ZS8

 645Z ZS8 
AnnouncedApril 2014July 2011Newer by 33 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax 645Z

 ZS8 645Z 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with physical dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") having a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax 645Z in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 vs the 645Z.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and 645Z is 92 and 49 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and 645Z.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS8 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax 645Z will give you more detail having its extra 37 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged ZS8 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
88
focusing manually
amazing MP (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is great (Medium format)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
good ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Pentax 645Z
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
71
amazing MP (51 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
weather sealing
amazing MP (51 megapixels)
bad battery life (650 CIPA)
more heavy than average (1,550g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography information
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography information
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
amazing MP (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
bad battery life (650 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
Pentax 645Z Vlogging features
30
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
27
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (1,550 grams)
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax 645Z
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax 645Z
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Launched 2011-07-19 2014-04-15
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD 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 14 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 8256 x 6192
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 27
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 6
Crop factor 5.9 0.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
External flash
AEB
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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 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 None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lb) 1550 grams (3.42 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 340 images 650 images
Type 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail price $275 $5,024