Clicky

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Older Model is Panasonic G1
  • Replacement is Panasonic G3
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
  • Released August 2014
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic G2 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G2 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the G2 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor size.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The G2 was announced 5 years prior to the Q-S1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the G2 scores versus the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax Q-S1

 G2 Q-S1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic G2

 Q-S1 G2 
ReleasedAugust 2014July 2010Newer by 49 months

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax Q-S1

 G2 Q-S1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G2 has outer dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic G2 and Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the G2 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the G2 and Q-S1 is 72 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The image below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the G2 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The G2 includes the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF easier. The more aged G2 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
46
focusing manually
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G2
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
65
fully articulated screen
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (203g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 per charge)
no phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
58
features touch to focus
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
60
lighter than average (203 grams)
has built in flash
low battery power (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
57
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
61
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detect focus
comes with microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competitors in class (428g)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (203 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-12 2014-08-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 493 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $1,000 $250