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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the FX48 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The FX48 was brought out 6 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the FX48 grades versus the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FX48 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FX48

 Q-S1 FX48 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2009Fresher by 67 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q-S1

 FX48 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FX48 comes with external measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FX48 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through a spec sheet. The visual here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FX48 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor sizing. The FX48 has the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging. The older FX48 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
27
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
46
manual focus
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
58
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
bad battery (250 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
33
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax Q-S1
Also called Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-01-27 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact 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 area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync 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 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 format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $325 $250