Clicky

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-3
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-5
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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax Q-S1, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the TG-4 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the TG-4 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor size.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The TG-4 was introduced 9 months after the Q-S1 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the TG-4 grades versus the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Pentax Q-S1

 TG-4 Q-S1 
LaunchedApril 2015August 2014Newer by 9 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus TG-4

 Q-S1 TG-4 

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax Q-S1

 TG-4 Q-S1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-4 provides exterior dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 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).

Look at the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the TG-4 vs the Q-S1.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the TG-4 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-4 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The TG-4 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Olympus TG-4 will deliver extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent TG-4 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography info
47
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
46
manual focus
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Street photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography features
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (247g)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (203g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 shots)
has no phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
74
better than average battery power (380 shots)
weather proof
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (250 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography highlights
62
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery power (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 per charge)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
heavier than others (247g)
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (203g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus Tough TG-4Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Pentax Q-S1
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-04-13 2014-08-04
Body design 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 grams (0.54 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $379 $250