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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the FH8 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the FH8 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FH8 was launched 3 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the FH8 grades against the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FH8 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FH8

 Q-S1 FH8 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2012Fresher by 31 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax Q-S1

 FH8 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH8 has outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the FH8 against the Q-S1.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and Q-S1 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FH8 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Panasonic FH8 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older FH8 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
46
has manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH8
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (123 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (123 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
60
lighter than average in class (203g)
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
43
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
33
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition (123 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (203g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-09 2014-08-04
Physical type 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 surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 123g (0.27 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 photos 250 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at release $149 $250