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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
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
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very comparable but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was manufactured 4 years prior to the Q-S1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the GF3 grades versus the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GF3 Q-S1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GF3

 Q-S1 GF3 
RevealedAugust 2014August 2011Newer by 36 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax Q-S1

 GF3 Q-S1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 comes with outer measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing 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 GF3 and Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the GF3 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out specifications. The pic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GF3 and Q-S1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The GF3 has got the larger sensor which should make getting bokeh easier. The more aged GF3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
55
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
46
manual focus
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF3
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (203g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
58
has focus by touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery (250 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
32
has touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-08-11 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD 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 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 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 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 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/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
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 720p (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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 grams (0.58 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 250 images
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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $360 $250