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Leica Q vs Panasonic S1

Portability
63
Imaging
72
Features
64
Overall
68
Leica Q front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Leica Q
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Yes Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 640g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 116
  • Successor is Leica Q2
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Introduced February 2019
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Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Leica Q vs Panasonic S1, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Q (24MP) and the S1 (24MP) is pretty close and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Q was revealed 4 years earlier than the S1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica Q being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Q grades against the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q over the Panasonic S1

 Q S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica Q

 S1 Q 
IntroducedFebruary 2019June 2015Fresher by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1040kClearer screen (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Leica Q and Panasonic S1

 Q S1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica Q offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 640 grams (1.41 lbs) and the Panasonic S1 has dimensions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") and a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica Q vs Panasonic 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 change based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the Q compared to the S1.

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q and S1 is 63 and 54 respectively.

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Q and S1.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you will want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The older Q will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q Portrait photography details
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography details
83
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
85
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Q Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Yes)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
very good ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
heavier than competition in class (640g)
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than others in class (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
69
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Yes)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
fixed focal length (28mm)
no phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (380 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q Travel photography advice
Panasonic S1 Travel photography advice
63
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
heavier than competition in class (640 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
more heavy than others in class (1,021 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica Q
Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
75
manual focus
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Yes)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (50,000)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q Vlogging factors
Panasonic S1 Vlogging factors
32
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Yes)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (640g)
32
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,021 grams)
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Leica Q vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q and Panasonic S1
 Leica QPanasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica Q Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Other name Typ 116 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-06-10 2019-02-01
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro II Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 50000 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 225
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Leica L
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/1.7 -
Macro focusing distance 17cm -
Available lenses - 30
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 2,100k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots 5,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 640 gr (1.41 lbs) 1021 gr (2.25 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 85 95
DXO Color Depth rating 24.3 25.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 14.5
DXO Low light rating 2221 3333
Other
Battery life - 380 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Dual
Cost at release $4,300 $2,498