Clicky

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1

Portability
49
Imaging
81
Features
74
Overall
78
Pentax 645Z front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax 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
  • Launched April 2014
  • Replaced the Pentax 645D
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and S1 (14MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and S1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The 645Z was manufactured 3 years after the S1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 645Z matches up versus the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Pentax S1

 645Z S1 
AnnouncedApril 2014March 2011More modern by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax 645Z

 S1 645Z 

Common features in the Pentax 645Z and Pentax S1

 645Z S1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax 645Z has outer dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") accompanied by a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the 645Z versus the S1.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 645Z and S1 is 49 and 93 respectively.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 645Z and S1.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 645Z due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax 645Z will produce greater detail due to its extra 37 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent 645Z should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax 645Z Portrait photography highlights
Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
88
focusing manually
megapixel count high (51 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
63
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good ISO range (204,800)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (1,550g)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Pentax 645Z Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
71
megapixel count high (51 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (650 shots)
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Pentax 645Z Travel photography highlights
Pentax S1 Travel photography highlights
51
weather sealing
megapixel count high (51 megapixels)
terrible battery (650 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (1,550 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Pentax 645Z Landscape photography highlights
Pentax S1 Landscape photography highlights
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
megapixel count high (51MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (650 per charge)
42
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645Z as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
27
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (1,550 grams)
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Pentax 645Z vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax 645Z and Pentax S1
 Pentax 645ZPentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax 645Z Pentax Optio S1
Class Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-04-15 2011-03-02
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Medium format 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 44 x 33mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 1,452.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 51MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 6192 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 27 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax 645AF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 6 -
Focal length multiplier 0.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.85x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
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, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/125 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1550 grams (3.42 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 101 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 4505 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 1
Pricing at release $5,024 $174