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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-2
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
  • Introduced August 2014
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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SH-3 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor sizing.

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The SH-3 was revealed 19 months after the Q-S1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SH-3 grades vs the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SH-3 Q-S1 
IntroducedFebruary 2016August 2014Newer by 19 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus SH-3

 Q-S1 SH-3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax Q-S1

 SH-3 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-3 enjoys physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-3 vs 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 change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SH-3 versus the Q-S1.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and Q-S1 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-3 and Q-S1.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SH-3 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus SH-3 will render greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
44
good MP (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
46
focusing manually
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
lighter than competition (271g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (203 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-3
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
74
good battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
features focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
lighter than others (203g)
has built in flash
not so great battery (250 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (203g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-02-08 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Q Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.5 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 grams (0.60 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 380 photographs 250 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $579 $250