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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500

Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77
Pentax 645Z front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Pentax 645D
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-500, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and K-500 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The 645Z was brought out 5 months later than the K-500 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the 645Z grades versus the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Pentax K-500

 645Z K-500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax 645Z

 K-500 645Z 

Common features in the Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-500

 645Z K-500 
ReleasedApril 2014November 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax 645Z comes with outer measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") and a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Look at the Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-500 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 based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 645Z versus the K-500.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 645Z and K-500 is 49 and 64 respectively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 645Z and K-500.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 645Z because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax 645Z will offer you extra detail having its extra 35MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax 645Z Portrait photography details
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography details
88
manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax 645Z Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
63
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is big (Medium format)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
more heavy than others (1,550 grams)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
71
megapixel count fantastic (51MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (650 shots)
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
great battery power (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
51
weather sealing
megapixel count fantastic (51 megapixels)
terrible battery (650 CIPA)
more heavy than others (1,550g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
great battery power (710 CIPA)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
megapixel count fantastic (51 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
terrible battery (650 CIPA)
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (710 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645Z Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
27
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than others (1,550g)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-500
 Pentax 645ZPentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax 645Z Pentax K-500
Category Pro DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-04-15 2013-11-27
Body design Large SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME III PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor dimensions 44 x 33mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 1,452.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 51MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 8256 x 6192 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 204800 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax 645AF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 6 151
Crop factor 0.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/125 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p) 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) 646 grams (1.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 101 79
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 13.1
DXO Low light rating 4505 1087
Other
Battery life 650 images 710 images
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two One
Price at launch $5,024 $600