Panasonic Lumix S5 vs Pentax Q: A Full-Spectrum Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing your next camera can feel like a labyrinth, especially when models hail from wildly different eras and categories - like the advanced Panasonic Lumix S5, a 2020 pro-level mirrorless full-frame powerhouse, versus the 2011 entry-level Pentax Q, a tiny rangefinder-style mirrorless with a micro-sensor. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras hands-on, I’m here to help cut through the specs jungle with a practical, tech-savvy, and no-nonsense head-to-head. The goal? To clarify which of these quirky cousins suits your photography style, technical needs, and budget without fluff.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

When you pick up the Panasonic S5 and the Pentax Q back-to-back, you immediately grasp how different these cameras are in size and handling philosophy.

The Panasonic S5 is a robust SLR-style mirrorless designed for serious grip and control, weighing 714g with a chunky, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body measuring 133 x 97 x 82 mm. It nestles comfortably in my hands with dedicated clubs for thumbs - physical dials and buttons offering quick access even when wearing gloves. This makes it a natural for professionals and enthusiast hobbyists who demand both durability and efficiency.

On the other end, the Pentax Q is remarkably petite with a 98 x 57 x 31 mm body weighing only 180g (battery included). This makes it a dream for the clutch-it-everywhere crowd, but the tradeoff in physical controls is palpable - fewer tactile buttons, a fixed screen, and a more finicky grip suited mainly for casual shooters or beginners who want portability. No weather sealing here, either.

From the top view, the S5 flexes a mature control layout featuring a metered exposure dial, a nifty top LCD panel (even if not color), and thoughtful button placements. The Q, by contrast, looks like a camera from another galaxy, minimalist and compact with basic command dials restricting hands-on versatility.

Bottom line: If you prize ergonomics and pro-level handling, the S5 stands miles ahead. The Q is strictly for those craving extreme portability or a secondary camera with pared-back features.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters!

Let's dive into the heart of the matter - the sensor. Image makers, pay attention because sensor tech matters more than ever.

The S5 boasts a full-frame CMOS sensor that’s 35.6 x 23.8 mm, yielding a vast 847.28 mm² imaging area and 24 megapixels of resolution. This large sensor excels at gathering light, delivering superior dynamic range, low noise at high ISO, and rich tonal gradation - all vital for professional-quality portraits, landscapes, and low-light shooting.

Conversely, the Pentax Q’s sensor is a tiny 1/2.3” (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS chip, a mere 28.07 mm², about 30 times smaller than the S5’s sensor area, with just 12 megapixels. This small sensor is the main bottleneck affecting image quality - expect limited dynamic range, higher noise at the lower end of ISO scales, and compressed tonal richness. Sharpness per pixel can’t compete either.

In real-world testing, the S5 produces clean, creamy bokeh in portraits with excellent skin tone rendition, thanks partly to the sensor size and Leica L-mount lenses. Landscapes reveal immense detail and a wide tonal spectrum, while night shots retain impressive clarity with usable ISO 51200 and boost ISO 204800 modes.

Meanwhile, the Pentax Q is best reserved for casual snaps and fun experimentation. Image noise becomes intrusive above ISO 800, and shadow detail disappears quickly. Shots tend to feel “flat” compared to full-frame standards.

Display and Viewfinder: Peering Into Your Art

Nowadays, a camera’s screen and EVF shape the shooting experience just as much as sensor specs.

The S5 flaunts a generously sized 3.0-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1.84 million dots, enabling flexible angles and sharp focus-checking even in bright daylight. Features like touch-to-focus and menu navigation speed up shooting workflow - a crucial quality-of-life perk on location or in the studio.

By contrast, the Pentax Q has a fixed 3.0-inch non-touch TFT LCD with only 460,000 dots. It’s adequate for framing but obsolete by today's standards - no live touch focusing, no tilt, and no brightness adjustment that matches modern requirements.

As for viewfinders, the S5 incorporates an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage, and 0.74x magnification - sharp and lag-free, making it user-friendly in tricky light. The Q lacks any viewfinder, which may be a downside for those used to eye-level shooting.

Autofocus and Speed: When Precision Counts

Autofocus systems have evolved dramatically, especially since the Q’s 2011 release date.

The Panasonic S5 operates with 225 contrast-detection focus points but no phase detection system. Despite relying on contrast AF, Panasonic’s intelligent Depth-from-Defocus algorithms deliver swift, accurate AF performance for both stills and video. Eye detection AF works reliably, although not top-tier compared with Sony’s recent models, but still better than many competitors in this price class.

The Pentax Q’s autofocus sports a more rudimentary contrast detection system with only 25 focus points. It struggles a bit at speed and accuracy, especially in low light and with fast-moving subjects. No eye detection or animal eye AF is available, which limits its appeal for portraits and wildlife.

Continuous shooting speed is another gap: 7 fps on S5 vs 2 fps on Q - meaning the S5 can handle action or sports sequences far more gracefully.

Build, Weather Resistance, and Durability

If you’re a rugged shooter, weather sealing might be non-negotiable.

The Panasonic S5 is professionally weather-sealed against dust and splashes - perfect for landscapes in the rain or dusty trails. Pentax fans will note that despite the brand’s reputation, the Q unfortunately offers no weather sealing, making it more vulnerable in harsh conditions.

Build quality reflects this too - the S5’s magnesium alloy chassis feels sturdy, while the Q is mostly plastic-built (though solid for its size).

The Lens Ecosystem: Glass Matters

A camera is only as good as the lenses you can mount on it.

The S5 uses the Leica L mount, which has matured impressively since 2020, offering over 31 native full-frame lenses spanning fast primes, versatile zooms, and specialized optics like macro and tilt-shift. Supplemented by Panasonic’s own lenses and Sigma’s burgeoning L-mount offerings, this ecosystem is expansive and high quality.

Conversely, the Pentax Q mount supports only 8 native lenses - a modest selection including ultra-wide, standard zooms, and a few primes. Because of the tiny sensor and crop factor (~5.8x), focal lengths behave more like super-telephoto lenses (for example, a “28mm” lens acts roughly like a 160mm on full-frame), which limits wide-angle creativity. Adapters for other mounts exist but are clunky for such a small system.

Battery Life and Storage

The S5 impresses with a rated 440 shots per charge, sufficient for day-long shoots, plus USB-C charging support - very handy if you want to top up from a power bank in the field.

The smaller Pentax Q offers 230 shots per charge, which feels scant by today’s standards. You’ll want to carry a spare battery. Storage-wise both cameras use SD cards, but the S5 includes dual slots supporting SDXC and UHS-II cards, enabling robust workflows and fail-safe backups.

Video Capabilities for the Modern Creator

Video tech is a crucial factor as hybrid shooters dominate.

Panasonic’s S5 shines here - capturing 4K UHD at 60p with 10-bit internal recording at 200 Mbps, dual native ISO for clean footage, and advanced codecs including H.264 and H.265. The camera supports microphone and headphone ports for pro audio monitoring, plus in-body 5-axis image stabilization smooths handheld footage remarkably.

By comparison, the Pentax Q maxes out at full HD 1080p at 30 fps with basic H.264 compression, no mic/headphone jacks, and no 4K option. Stabilization is sensor-based but less effective; overall, video output is amateurish in today’s ultra-HD world.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how these two cameras perform in practical photography scenarios:

Portraits

The S5’s large sensor and accurate eye detection AF deliver creamy bokeh and natural skin tones - vital for flattering subjects. Focus stacking and post-focus modes add creative depth. The Q’s shallow lens selection and small sensor make portraits bland and less professional-looking.

Landscapes

With superior dynamic range and weather-sealing, the S5 is a landscape workhorse. High resolution and post-processing latitude shine through. The Q, lacking sealing and detailed output, feels limited here.

Wildlife & Sports

The S5’s 7 fps burst, larger buffer, and effective AF tracking give it a clear edge for fast action. The Q’s 2 fps and modest AF struggle with fast-moving subjects.

Street & Travel

Here, the Q’s compact size and low profile are undeniable advantages. It’s discreet, lightweight, and pocketable - great for candid street scenes and casual travel. The S5, although larger, is still fairly portable for its capabilities and excels on long trips needing versatility.

Macro

The S5 supports focus bracketing and stacking with high magnification lenses, plus stabilization - perfect for macro enthusiasts. The Q’s ecosystem and lack of advanced focus aids limit its macro appeal.

Night & Astro

The S5’s high ISO limits and exposure controls make it suitable for astrophotography and night shots. The Q’s sensor noise kills night photography quality early.

Professional Work

The S5 ticks almost all boxes: reliable build, swift workflow with dual cards, rich manual controls, versatile lens options, and excellent video support. The Q feels more like a fun toy or beginner stepping stone, not a professional tool.

Connectivity and Interface: Staying Current

The S5 incorporates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, enabling remote shooting, image transfer, and firmware updates via mobile apps - hugely beneficial for modern workflows. USB-C enables tethered shooting and charging.

The Pentax Q has no wireless connectivity, relying on wired USB 2.0 for data, an outdated setup by current standards.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Value Analysis

The following images summarize overall and genre-specific performance derived from extensive field testing:

The S5 dominates in almost every category, justified by its $1999 price point targeting professionals and serious enthusiasts. The Pentax Q, at a modest $695 (note: older pricing, varies greatly second hand), cannot compete on performance but offers exceptional portability at its cost.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Which?

Get the Panasonic Lumix S5 if…

• You’re a serious enthusiast or pro seeking a versatile full-frame mirrorless for portraits, landscapes, weddings, video, and more.
• You require dependable weather sealing and robust build quality.
• You want advanced autofocus with eye detection and effective in-body image stabilization.
• Hybrid photo/video work is part of your workflow.
• You value having a rich, professional lens ecosystem.

Choose the Pentax Q if…

• You’re an absolute cheapskate or starter wanting a pocketable, fun camera for casual use.
• Portability and joystick-free, uncomplicated shooting appeal to you.
• You’re experimenting with mirrorless but prioritizing size over image quality.
• Your photography is informal - social media snapshots, travel snaps, and street photography where image perfection can take a back seat.
• You want a quirky, nostalgic camera with unique micro 4/3-style handling.

Final Verdict: Experience Speaks Louder Than Specs

In my extensive experience testing thousands of cameras, the Panasonic Lumix S5 stands as a mature, flexible, technologically updated tool for creators who demand real-world excellence. It supports ambitions from pro portraits to hybrid video, backed by stellar image quality, weather durability, and a sophisticated lens ecosystem.

The Pentax Q, while not a contender on professional or even advanced enthusiast levels, has nostalgic charm and excels only in extreme portability and budget constraints. It’s ideal as a fun sidekick or entry gateway rather than a serious camera.

If you ask me, paying a bit more for the S5 means investing in a camera that won’t hold you back creatively or technically - and given the price-to-performance ratio, it’s a smart choice for nearly all enthusiast and pro users today.

Happy shooting!

Sample Gallery

Here’s a side-by-side sample gallery showcasing what these cameras capture:

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Pentax Q front Pentax Q screen back