Clicky

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Announced December 2013
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GM5
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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the GM1 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the GM1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor measurements.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The GM1 was unveiled 7 months before the Q-S1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the GM1 scores against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GM1 Q-S1 
Display resolution1036k460kSharper display (+576k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GM1

 Q-S1 GM1 
IntroducedAugust 2014December 2013More recent by 7 months

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax Q-S1

 GM1 Q-S1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GM1 enjoys outer measurements of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the GM1 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GM1 and Q-S1 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GM1 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GM1 having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic GM1 will render greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older GM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GM1
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
65
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
46
focusing manually
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
77
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/1.7")
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography advice
48
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (230 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
74
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
supports touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
low battery power (230 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (250 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GM1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
69
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (230 shots)
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GM1
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
35
touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-12-19 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,036 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/50 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 204g (0.45 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 660 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos 250 photos
Battery type 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $750 $250