Head to head shoot out Pentax 645D vs. Canon 1Ds Mark III

yeatzee · 02-24-2011, 06:34 PM

canon fanboyism is literally oozing out of every sentence

ogl · 02-24-2011, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by Mystic

Pentax 645D Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Comparison Digital SLR Review

Silly comparision. 40 MP CCD 44*33 vs 21 MP CMOS 36*24 mm. Different systems.
Apples and oranges...Right.

Mohawk · 02-24-2011, 11:41 PM

For what is, a 'mature' 135 format design vs. a new cropped 645 model. I wonder what the evolution would be to 645D mk.III??

Frogfish · 02-25-2011, 03:07 AM - **1 Like**

Got to say I didn't find this to be a Canon fanboy review at all. Even if it is Apples and Oranges (which he mentions a couple of times at least). It seemed fair and his verdict made the differences quite clear. Overall a short but informative review.

Quote:

Pentax 645D Vs. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III: Verdict
Each of these two cameras are excellent at what they do best. For example, the 1Ds Mark III is a more flexible tool, capable of holding its own when high levels of detail are needed, but without sacrificing aspects for handling such as the compact 35mm form factor, impressive autofocus and high speed continuous shooting.

The areas in which the Canon excels were never going to be the strongest areas of performance for the Pentax 645D. What it lacks in speed it makes up for in sharpness, resolution and other image quality factors, such as white balance performance and dynamic range.

Even though it does seem like apples have been compared to oranges, the differences between the two cameras, especially when it comes to some aspects of image quality, are not as different as night and day and many aspects such as noise performance are very close indeed.

At the end of the day, your particular specialism will dictate which camera is best for you. If you find yourself comparing these two, then it will come down to how much you are likely to be shooting in situations where you are not in control of your subject, the lighting and of time and the variety of different shooting scenarios you'll find yourself in. If you often deal with surprises, erratic subjects etc., then the Canon is a clear winner for you.

If however, you know what you like and tend to stick to it, and what you like is shooting landscapes, portraits under controlled conditions such as in a studio or disciplines like product photography, then the Pentax may be a compelling choice, if you can afford it.

If I had to judge the cameras on image quality alone then the Pentax would be a clear winner. Unfortunately life isn't that straightforward, and as the Canon excels in some areas and the Pentax is superior in others I find it impossible to choose a clear winner in this comparison. Your choice will depend on what you shoot, at the end of the day.

asw66 · 02-25-2011, 05:09 AM

I thought it was an OK comparison for the most part.

The obvious differences between the two cameras are remarked upon at the outset and in the conclusion as well. Moreover, I think it's fairly obvious that there is a certain amount of overlap between the low end of MF and the high end of FF ... which is of course what this comparison explores.

Having said that, I was surprised by how badly the Canon handled skies, and the reviewer really should have remarked upon this point, since it pretty much leapt out to even casual inspection.

**Rondec** · 02-26-2011, 05:41 AM

The biggest quibble I have with the review is the fact that that the guy doing it didn't seem to have a problem with the over exposure issues that the Canon experienced. To me, by default a digital camera should protect the highlights. If he had wanted to bring up the shadowed areas on the 645D photos, he could have done it very easily due to the large dynamic range it has, but there is no way that he could bring back the blown out skies on the Canon.

Obviously two different tools with different uses.

TCSJordan · 09-16-2011, 08:39 PM

I find it interesting that he found the handling better on the 1Ds. I find the 645D to be the best handling camera I've used. Every useful control is easy to access, and the mirror lockup isn't buried in the menus. Every person I know who has handled the 645D has commented on the excellent balance and handling.

Christopher M.W.T · 09-17-2011, 07:32 AM

What I find more interested is the nitpicking people make over the reviews supposed bias towards one or the other .... who cares really? they are both awesome cameras and both take great photos just each is a tool that suits a purpose the rest is irrelevant.

TaoMaas · 09-17-2011, 11:36 AM

Eh...I thought it was an okay comparison. It reminded me a lot of the APS-C vs FF comparisons. In some areas, they are close...in others, they're not.

feishui · 09-18-2011, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by ajoe

Apples and oranges (as they admit in the article).

More media stupidity.

they are both cameras. I would say it is like a big and more expensive apple vs a smaller but also cheaper apple. Can you compare an apple to another apple?

benjikan · 09-18-2011, 03:31 PM

Just plain STUPID!!! Apples and Lemon Tarts...

fisheye freak · 11-04-2011, 04:36 PM

Not even an apple/ oranges comparison, it is a fruit v vegetables comparison. True comparisons compare items with many similar features, especially cost. This is just about the most meaningless comparison I have ever seen.

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02-24-2011, 06:34 PM	#16
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	canon fanboyism is literally oozing out of every sentence

02-24-2011, 10:33 PM	#17
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Mystic Pentax 645D Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Comparison Digital SLR Review Silly comparision. 40 MP CCD 4433 vs 21 MP CMOS 3624 mm. Different systems. Apples and oranges...Right.

02-24-2011, 11:41 PM	#18
Mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 109	For what is, a 'mature' 135 format design vs. a new cropped 645 model. I wonder what the evolution would be to 645D mk.III??

02-25-2011, 03:07 AM - 1 Like	#19
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Got to say I didn't find this to be a Canon fanboy review at all. Even if it is Apples and Oranges (which he mentions a couple of times at least). It seemed fair and his verdict made the differences quite clear. Overall a short but informative review. Quote: Pentax 645D Vs. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III: Verdict Each of these two cameras are excellent at what they do best. For example, the 1Ds Mark III is a more flexible tool, capable of holding its own when high levels of detail are needed, but without sacrificing aspects for handling such as the compact 35mm form factor, impressive autofocus and high speed continuous shooting. The areas in which the Canon excels were never going to be the strongest areas of performance for the Pentax 645D. What it lacks in speed it makes up for in sharpness, resolution and other image quality factors, such as white balance performance and dynamic range. Even though it does seem like apples have been compared to oranges, the differences between the two cameras, especially when it comes to some aspects of image quality, are not as different as night and day and many aspects such as noise performance are very close indeed. At the end of the day, your particular specialism will dictate which camera is best for you. If you find yourself comparing these two, then it will come down to how much you are likely to be shooting in situations where you are not in control of your subject, the lighting and of time and the variety of different shooting scenarios you'll find yourself in. If you often deal with surprises, erratic subjects etc., then the Canon is a clear winner for you. If however, you know what you like and tend to stick to it, and what you like is shooting landscapes, portraits under controlled conditions such as in a studio or disciplines like product photography, then the Pentax may be a compelling choice, if you can afford it. If I had to judge the cameras on image quality alone then the Pentax would be a clear winner. Unfortunately life isn't that straightforward, and as the Canon excels in some areas and the Pentax is superior in others I find it impossible to choose a clear winner in this comparison. Your choice will depend on what you shoot, at the end of the day.

02-25-2011, 05:09 AM	#20
asw66 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 347	I thought it was an OK comparison for the most part. The obvious differences between the two cameras are remarked upon at the outset and in the conclusion as well. Moreover, I think it's fairly obvious that there is a certain amount of overlap between the low end of MF and the high end of FF ... which is of course what this comparison explores. Having said that, I was surprised by how badly the Canon handled skies, and the reviewer really should have remarked upon this point, since it pretty much leapt out to even casual inspection.

02-26-2011, 05:41 AM	#21
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	The biggest quibble I have with the review is the fact that that the guy doing it didn't seem to have a problem with the over exposure issues that the Canon experienced. To me, by default a digital camera should protect the highlights. If he had wanted to bring up the shadowed areas on the 645D photos, he could have done it very easily due to the large dynamic range it has, but there is no way that he could bring back the blown out skies on the Canon. Obviously two different tools with different uses.

09-16-2011, 08:39 PM	#22
TCSJordan Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 98	I find it interesting that he found the handling better on the 1Ds. I find the 645D to be the best handling camera I've used. Every useful control is easy to access, and the mirror lockup isn't buried in the menus. Every person I know who has handled the 645D has commented on the excellent balance and handling.

09-17-2011, 07:32 AM	#23
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	What I find more interested is the nitpicking people make over the reviews supposed bias towards one or the other .... who cares really? they are both awesome cameras and both take great photos just each is a tool that suits a purpose the rest is irrelevant.

09-17-2011, 11:36 AM	#24
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Eh...I thought it was an okay comparison. It reminded me a lot of the APS-C vs FF comparisons. In some areas, they are close...in others, they're not.

09-18-2011, 02:03 PM	#25
feishui Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 94	Originally posted by ajoe Apples and oranges (as they admit in the article). More media stupidity. they are both cameras. I would say it is like a big and more expensive apple vs a smaller but also cheaper apple. Can you compare an apple to another apple?

09-18-2011, 03:31 PM	#26
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Just plain STUPID!!! Apples and Lemon Tarts...

11-04-2011, 04:36 PM	#27
fisheye freak Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bondi, Australia Posts: 206	Not even an apple/ oranges comparison, it is a fruit v vegetables comparison. True comparisons compare items with many similar features, especially cost. This is just about the most meaningless comparison I have ever seen.