• Medium format 1,452.0mm2
  • 40.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1000
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax 645D advantages over Panasonic S5 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More pixels
    40.0 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic S5 II advantages over Pentax 645D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $2000 vs $9996 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    5.9K vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    81 mm vs 119 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    2 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    714g vs 1480g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    613k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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 Leica S2

Pentax 645D
Leica S2
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Panasonic S5 II
Leica S2
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax 645D
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
Panasonic S5 II
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645D
Pentax 645Z
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic S5 II
Pentax 645Z
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels

Compared to Nikon Z5

Pentax 645D
Nikon Z5
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic S5 II
Nikon Z5
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic S5 IIX

Pentax 645D
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels
  • $2200
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Panasonic S5 II
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • $2200
  • 35mm
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