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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GF2
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
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very similar but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The GF1 was launched 5 years before the Q-S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick view of how the GF1 scores vs the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GF1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GF1

 Q-S1 GF1 
RevealedAugust 2014October 2009More modern by 58 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax Q-S1

 GF1 Q-S1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF1 provides exterior dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the GF1 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GF1 and Q-S1 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading technical specs. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF1 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same resolution but different sensor sizes. The GF1 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh easier. The more aged GF1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
46
has manual focus
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF1
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
good battery (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
no phase detect AF
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
59
good battery (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
not so great battery (250 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
good battery (380 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
25
supports face detect focusing
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (203g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-10-14 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD 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 surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set 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, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 gr (0.85 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 250 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $400 $250