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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the FX78 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor sizing.

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The FX78 was unveiled 4 years before the Q-S1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX78 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 quick introduction of how the FX78 scores versus the Q-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax Q-S1

 FX78 Q-S1 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic FX78

 Q-S1 FX78 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2011More recent by 42 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax Q-S1

 FX78 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys outside measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FX78 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and Q-S1.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The FX78 features the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging. The older FX78 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
46
manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (203g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400 seconds)
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX78
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery (200 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
60
lighter than others in class (203g)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
36
pretty wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse mode
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
33
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax Q-S1
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-25 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
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 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $210 $250