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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the FH3 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The FH3 was announced 5 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FH3 grades vs the Q-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FH3 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FH3

 Q-S1 FH3 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2010More recent by 55 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax Q-S1

 FH3 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH3 features external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FH3 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and Q-S1 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH3 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH3 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FH3 will produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The older FH3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography features
28
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
has manual focus
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH3
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
64
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition (203g)
has built in flash
not so great battery (250 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
37
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH3
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
29
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Pentax Q-S1
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-01-06 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 surface 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
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $160 $250