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Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS30
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
  • Released August 2014
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FH20 and Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the FH20 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The FH20 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FH20 matches up against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FH20 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FH20

 Q-S1 FH20 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2010More modern by 55 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Pentax Q-S1

 FH20 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH20 features external measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH20 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FH20 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH20 and Q-S1 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH20 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FH20 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic FH20 will offer greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FH20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
46
you can focus manually
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH20
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
64
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery power (250 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Pentax Q-S1
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-06 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $179 $250