Canon 1D Mark IV versus Pentax 645Z

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and the Pentax 645Z are two professional cameras that were announced, respectively, in October 2009 and April 2014. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-H (1D Mark IV) and a medium format (645Z) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 16 megapixel, whereas the Pentax provides 51.1 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax 645Z

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark IV and the Pentax 645Z is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the 1D Mark IV – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax 645Z is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark IV. However, the 645Z is markedly heavier (26 percent) than the 1D Mark IV. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark IV gets 1500 shots out of its LP-E4 battery, while the 645Z can take 650 images on a single charge of its D-LI90 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 1D Mark IV was launched at a markedly lower price (by 41 percent) than the 645Z, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax 645Z

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D Mark IV features an APS-H sensor and the Pentax 645Z a medium format sensor. The sensor area in the 645Z is 177 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 0.79. The sensor in the 1D Mark IV has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the 645Z offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 51.1MP, the 645Z offers a higher resolution than the 1D Mark IV (16MP), but the 645Z has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.30μm versus 5.70μm for the 1D Mark IV). Yet, the 645Z is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 5 months) than the 1D Mark IV, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the 645Z has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 645Z offers substantially better image quality than the 1D Mark IV (overall score 27 points higher). The advantage is based on 3.2 bits higher color depth, 2.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the 645Z provides a faster frame rate than the 1D Mark IV. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax 645Z

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1D Mark IV and the 645Z are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1D Mark IV and Pentax 645Z in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The 645Z is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the 1D Mark IV has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the 1D Mark IV from Canon.

Review summary: Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax 645Z

So how do things add up? Is the Canon 1D Mark IV better than the Pentax 645Z or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 320g or 21 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1500 versus 650) on a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (41 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in October 2009).

Reasons to prefer the Pentax 645Z:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (51.1 vs 16MP), which boosts linear resolution by 75%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (27 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (3.2 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.7 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.8 stops ISO advantage).
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60i versus 1080/30p).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 920k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More compact: Is smaller (156x117mm vs 156x157mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 5 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark IV launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 645Z is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 1D Mark IV and the 645Z in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
Camera							Camera Launch (year)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (amazon)	Used Price (ebay)
	Canon 1D Mark IV (⇒ rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	-	5/5	-	2009	4,999	discont.	check
	Pentax 645Z (⇒ lft)	-	-	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	2014	8,499	latest	check
	Canon 1D X Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2016	5,999	latest	check
	Canon 5DS R (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	83/100 Silver	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2015	3,699	latest	check
	Canon 5DS (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	83/100 Silver	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2015	3,699	latest	check
	Canon 1D X (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2011	6,799	discont.	check
	Canon 60D (⇒ lft | rgt)	87/100 Rec	79/100 Silver	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	2010	1,399	discont.	check
	Canon 7D (⇒ lft | rgt)	93/100 HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2009	1,699	discont.	check
	Canon 5D Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	91/100	79/100 HiRec	4/5	5/5	-	2008	3,499	discont.	check
	Canon 50D (⇒ lft | rgt)	90/100 HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2008	1,299	discont.	check
	Canon 1D Mark III (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	reviewed	-	2007	4,499	discont.	check
	Canon 1Ds Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	-	-	2004	7,999	discont.	check
	Leica SL (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	2015	7,450	latest	check
	Nikon D750 (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	90/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2014	2,299	latest	check
	Nikon D4 (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	2012	5,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D3S (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	89/100 Gold	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	2009	5,199	discont.	check
	Pentax 645D (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	-	-	4.5/5	-	2010	9,995	discont.	check

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please send me an email, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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