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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
62
Imaging
61
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Released November 2017
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
  • Announced August 2014
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic G9 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The G9 was revealed 3 years later than the Q-S1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the G9 scores versus the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Pentax Q-S1

 G9 Q-S1 
AnnouncedNovember 2017August 2014Fresher by 40 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic G9

 Q-S1 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Pentax Q-S1

 G9 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic G9 enjoys external measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Panasonic G9 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the G9 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the G9 and Q-S1 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the G9 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The G9 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic G9 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern G9 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
46
manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes touch to focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G9
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
low battery power (400 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
70
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery power (400 CIPA)
60
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (250 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
76
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
low battery power (400 CIPA)
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
77
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
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Panasonic G9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Pentax Q-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2017-11-08 2014-08-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
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 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
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 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 658 gr (1.45 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 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 400 photos 250 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Two 1
Launch pricing $1,500 $250