Pentax 645Z vs Pentax W80

Lets look closer at the Pentax 645Z and Pentax W80, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the 645Z (51MP) and W80 (12MP) and the 645Z (Medium format) and W80 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 645Z was introduced 4 years later than the W80 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 645Z scores vs the W80 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax 645Z and Pentax Optio W80. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax 645Z Gallery and Pentax W80 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax 645Z enjoys external measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") along with a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs) while the Pentax W80 has measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Pentax 645Z and Pentax W80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the 645Z versus the W80.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 645Z and W80 is 49 and 94 respectively.

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 645Z and W80.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 645Z with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax 645Z will offer you greater detail using its extra 39 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 645Z is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.