• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 145.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Medium format 1,452.0mm2
  • 40.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1000

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS15 advantages over Pentax 645D

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $9996 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 119 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    138g vs 1480g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax 645D advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS15

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.06 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.90 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    40.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax 645D

Review Excerpt

  • Very high-resolution 40-megapixel sensor; Plentiful controls with great placement; Excellent optical viewfinder; Dual SDHC card slots; Infrared remote sensors front and back.

  • High price tag; Aliasing artifacts; Produces ~70MB RAW files.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm J150w

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J150w
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
Pentax 645D
Fujifilm J150w
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
Pentax 645D
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm J250W

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J250W
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
Pentax 645D
Fujifilm J250W
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax 645D
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Pentax 645Z
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax 645D
Pentax 645Z
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?