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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2007
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
  • Launched August 2014
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax Q-S1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The L1 was announced 8 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the L1 grades against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 L1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic L1

 Q-S1 L1 
LaunchedAugust 2014April 2007More modern by 89 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k207kSharper screen (+253k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax Q-S1

 L1 Q-S1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic L1 features exterior measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the L1 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the L1 and Q-S1 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The pic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the L1 and Q-S1.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The L1 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide greater detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged L1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (7MP)
46
focusing manually
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic L1
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
58
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (606g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
50
lighter than competition in class (606g)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (7MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2007-04-11 2014-08-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 7 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3136 x 2352 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 45 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 207k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - 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 606 grams (1.34 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,500 $250