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Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Refreshed by Leica X2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
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Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Leica X1 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the X1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very close but the X1 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The X1 was revealed 5 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica X1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the X1 grades against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 X1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Leica X1

 Q-S1 X1 
AnnouncedAugust 2014December 2009More modern by 56 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica X1 and Pentax Q-S1

 X1 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica X1 features exterior dimensions of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

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Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the X1 vs the Q-S1.

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the X1 and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the X1 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The X1 features the larger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more aged X1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
46
focusing manually
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Leica X1 Street photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography factors
70
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (306g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica X1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
34
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
fixed focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
no phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
59
lighter than competition in class (306g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (250 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography highlights
44
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
no Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Leica X1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Leica X1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model Leica X1 Pentax Q-S1
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-12-18 2014-08-04
Body design Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4272 x 2856 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 30cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 306g (0.67 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $1,495 $250