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Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66
Pentax 645D front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

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
  • Revealed March 2010
  • Replacement is Pentax 645Z
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax 645D and Pentax K-3 II, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the 645D (40MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the 645D (Medium format) and K-3 II (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The 645D was manufactured 6 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the 645D grades vs the K-3 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Pentax K-3 II

 645D K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax 645D

 K-3 II 645D 
LaunchedApril 2015March 2010Newer by 62 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Pentax 645D and Pentax K-3 II

 645D K-3 II 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax 645D features physical measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") having a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax 645D and Pentax K-3 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the 645D compared to the K-3 II.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 645D and K-3 II is 50 and 59 respectively.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The image underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 645D and K-3 II.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 645D due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax 645D will offer you greater detail due to its extra 16 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged 645D is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax 645D Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
77
focusing manually
MP count amazing (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax 645D Street photography info
Pentax K-3 II Street photography info
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax 645D
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
63
MP count amazing (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax 645D Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
55
environment proof
MP count amazing (40 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
57
weather proof
good resolution (24MP)
not so great battery pack (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645D Landscape photography info
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography info
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count amazing (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax 645D
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
9
can't shoot video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645D and Pentax K-3 II
 Pentax 645DPentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax 645D Pentax K-3 II
Class Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-03-10 2015-04-23
Physical type Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor dimensions 44 x 33mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 1,452.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 40MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 7264 x 5440 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax 645AF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 6 151
Crop factor 0.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/125 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 80
DXO Color Depth rating 24.6 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1262 1106
Other
Battery life 800 photos 720 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Pricing at release $4,000 $829