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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GM1
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
  • Released August 2014
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the GM5 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the GM5 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The GM5 was launched 2 months after the Q-S1 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GM5 grades against the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 GM5 Q-S1 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic GM5

 Q-S1 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax Q-S1

 GM5 Q-S1 
ReleasedSeptember 2014August 2014Similar age
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 provides external dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the GM5 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GM5 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic GM5 will offer more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography features
72
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
46
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
lighter than competitors (211 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
49
silent mode (1/16,000s)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
continuous shooting slow (5.8 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competitors (211g)
offers touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than others (203g)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (250 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography highlights
69
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery pack (220 shots)
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging advice
35
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (211 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-09-15 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine 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 16 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
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 211 gr (0.47 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 250 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLH7 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $966 $250