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Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon M and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the M (18MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The M was manufactured 24 months prior to the Q-S1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the M scores versus the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Pentax Q-S1

 M Q-S1 
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Canon M

 Q-S1 M 
LaunchedAugust 2014July 2012Newer by 24 months

Common features in the Canon M and Pentax Q-S1

 M Q-S1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon M features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Canon M and Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the M versus the Q-S1.

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the M and Q-S1.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Canon M will render more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M Portrait photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography info
76
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
46
manual focus
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon M Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
72
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon M Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
55
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 per charge)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery pack (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography info
63
offers focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
low battery pack (250 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery pack (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon M
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
37
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Canon M vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Pentax Q-S1
 Canon EOS MPentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS M Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-07-23 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 31 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Pentax Q
Available lenses 23 8
Crop factor 1.6 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 298 grams (0.66 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 250 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E12 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $510 $250