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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GH2
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the GH1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH1 was unveiled 6 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the GH1 grades against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GH1 Q-S1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GH1

 Q-S1 GH1 
RevealedAugust 2014July 2009Fresher by 61 months

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax Q-S1

 GH1 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GH1 features outside dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the GH1 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GH1 and Q-S1 is 81 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH1 and Q-S1.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GH1 offers the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field easier. The older GH1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
59
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
46
focusing manually
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH1
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
72
fully articulated screen
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
32
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (320 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (320 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
60
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (320 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
72
display is selfie friendly
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax Q-S1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-07-10 2014-08-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 107 8
Crop factor 1.9 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 grams (0.85 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 250 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $949 $250