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Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30

Portability
50
Imaging
75
Features
52
Overall
65
Pentax 645D front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Updated by Pentax K-50
Photography Glossary

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax 645D versus Pentax K-30, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the 645D (40MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the 645D (Medium format) and K-30 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 645D was introduced 3 years earlier than the K-30 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the 645D grades versus the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Pentax K-30

 645D K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax 645D

 K-30 645D 
ReleasedOctober 2012March 2010More recent by 32 months

Common features in the Pentax 645D and Pentax K-30

 645D K-30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax 645D comes with exterior measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax 645D versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the 645D versus the K-30.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 645D and K-30 is 50 and 63 respectively.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The graphic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 645D and K-30.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 645D having a larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax 645D will render more detail using its extra 24MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The older 645D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax 645D Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no liveview
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax 645D Street photography features
Pentax K-30 Street photography features
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax 645D Sports photography details
Pentax K-30 Sports photography details
62
sensor resolution is high (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (800 shots)
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax 645D Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
55
weather proofing
sensor resolution is high (40MP)
bad battery pack (800 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645D Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is high (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
no low pass filter
supports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (800 shots)
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645D as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax 645D vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645D and Pentax K-30
 Pentax 645DPentax K-30
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax 645D Pentax K-30
Type Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-03-10 2012-10-29
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor dimensions 44 x 33mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 1,452.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 40 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 7264 x 5440 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax 645AF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 6 151
Crop factor 0.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/125 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1480g (3.26 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 13.0
DXO Low light score 1262 1129
Other
Battery life 800 images 410 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch price $4,000 $525