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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
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
  • Introduced August 2014
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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GF5 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very close but the GF5 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GF5 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GF5 matches up versus the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GF5 Q-S1 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GF5

 Q-S1 GF5 
IntroducedAugust 2014April 2012Fresher by 28 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Pentax Q-S1

 GF5 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF5 offers outside measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the GF5 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the GF5 and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GF5 and Q-S1.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The GF5 has got the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The older GF5 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
46
you can focus manually
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF5
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Sports photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography info
41
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
61
offers focus by touch
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (203g)
flash built-in
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
59
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging factors
32
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external mic port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF5 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-04-05 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 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 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display 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 rate 4.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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, 50 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 format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 267g (0.59 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") 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 20.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 250 photos
Battery style 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $600 $250