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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77
Pentax 645Z front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Released April 2014
  • Previous Model is Pentax 645D
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-S2
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Pentax 645Z versus Pentax K-S1, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both offered by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and K-S1 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The 645Z was revealed 4 months prior to the K-S1 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the 645Z matches up versus the K-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Pentax K-S1

 645Z K-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax 645Z

 K-S1 645Z 

Common features in the Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-S1

 645Z K-S1 
ReleasedApril 2014August 2014Same age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax 645Z enjoys outside measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check the Pentax 645Z versus Pentax K-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the 645Z against the K-S1.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 645Z and K-S1 is 49 and 69 respectively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 645Z and K-S1.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 645Z having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax 645Z will result in more detail because of its extra 31 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax 645Z
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
88
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (51 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
63
tilting screen
sensor size is large (Medium format)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
above average ISO range (204,800)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (558g)
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax 645Z
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
71
MP count excellent (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery life (650 per charge)
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
51
environment proofing
MP count excellent (51MP)
low battery life (650 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (558g)
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery (410 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645Z Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography info
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
MP count excellent (51MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low battery life (650 shots)
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
bad battery (410 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
27
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,550g)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (558g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645Z and Pentax K-S1
 Pentax 645ZPentax K-S1
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax 645Z Pentax K-S1
Type Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-04-15 2014-08-27
Physical type Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME III Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor dimensions 44 x 33mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 1,452.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 51 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 8256 x 6192 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 204800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax 645AF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 6 151
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/125 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1550 gr (3.42 pounds) 558 gr (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 101 78
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 13.0
DXO Low light score 4505 1061
Other
Battery life 650 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two One
Price at launch $5,024 $339