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Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
85
Imaging
65
Features
76
Overall
69
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Updated by Canon M6
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
Photography Glossary

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast different sensor sizing.

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The M3 was brought out 7 months after the Q-S1 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the M3 matches up versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 M3 Q-S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2015August 2014More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Canon M3

 Q-S1 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Pentax Q-S1

 M3 Q-S1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon M3 has physical measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the M3 compared to the Q-S1.

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and Q-S1 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through specifications. The image below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M3 and Q-S1.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M3 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Canon M3 will result in extra detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The younger M3 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
46
focusing manually
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon M3
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
61
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (4.2 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (250 shots)
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
73
comes with touch to focus
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
67
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
good sized screen (3")
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (250 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
80
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
lack of image stabilization
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
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Canon M3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Canon EOS M3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS M3 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-02-06 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 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 surface area 332.3mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Pentax Q
Available lenses 23 8
Crop factor 1.6 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.2 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 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 H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366g (0.81 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1169 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 250 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 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
Launch pricing $481 $250