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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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
  • Launched August 2014
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was introduced 6 years prior to the Q-S1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FS42 grades vs the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FS42 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FS42

 Q-S1 FS42 
LaunchedAugust 2014April 2009Newer by 64 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q-S1

 FS42 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the FS42 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax Q-S1 will give you extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
46
you can focus manually
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (203 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than average (203g)
flash built-in
low battery power (250 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
22
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (203g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Q-S1
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-04-17 2014-08-04
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 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 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1000 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 6.3 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (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 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $580 $250