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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
49
Imaging
81
Features
74
Overall
78
Pentax 645Z front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Old Model is Pentax 645D
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and MX-1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The 645Z was introduced 10 months later than the MX-1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the 645Z matches up against the MX-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Pentax MX-1

 645Z MX-1 
AnnouncedApril 2014July 2013More recent by 10 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax 645Z

 MX-1 645Z 

Common features in the Pentax 645Z and Pentax MX-1

 645Z MX-1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax 645Z enjoys physical dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") and a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the 645Z vs the MX-1.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 645Z and MX-1 is 49 and 84 respectively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 645Z and MX-1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 645Z using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax 645Z will provide you with greater detail using its extra 39MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent 645Z provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
88
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
42
focusing manually
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
63
tilting screen
great sensor size (Medium format)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (204,800)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550g)
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax 645Z Sports photography information
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography information
71
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (650 CIPA)
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery (290 shots)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax 645Z Travel photography features
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
51
environment proof
megapixel count amazing (51MP)
bad battery life (650 per charge)
more heavy than competition (1,550g)
display isn't selfie friendly
61
better than average battery (290 per charge)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (391 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
megapixel count amazing (51 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (650 per charge)
55
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645Z Vlogging highlights
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging highlights
27
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,550 grams)
33
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than average (391g)
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Pentax 645Z vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645Z and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax 645ZPentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax 645Z Pentax MX-1
Class Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-04-15 2013-07-01
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Medium format 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 44 x 33mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 1,452.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 51MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8256 x 6192 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 204800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax 645AF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 6 -
Crop factor 0.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/125s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) 391 grams (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 101 49
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 11.3
DXO Low light score 4505 208
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 290 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two One
Retail price $5,024 $400