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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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
  • Launched August 2014
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FS15 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the FS15 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") possess different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The FS15 was introduced 6 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FS15 grades versus the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FS15 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FS15

 Q-S1 FS15 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2009More modern by 67 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax Q-S1

 FS15 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS15 has physical measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the FS15 against the Q-S1.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FS15 and Q-S1.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The FS15 has got the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult. The more aged FS15 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
focusing manually
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others (203 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Pentax Q-S1
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-01-16 2014-08-04
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 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 640x480 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $180 $250