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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched November 2008
  • Updated by Panasonic LX5
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the LX3 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very comparable but the LX3 (1/1.63") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor size.

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The LX3 was introduced 6 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the LX3 scores vs the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 LX3 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic LX3

 Q-S1 LX3 
IntroducedAugust 2014November 2008Newer by 69 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax Q-S1

 LX3 Q-S1 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic LX3 provides external measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing 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 LX3 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the LX3 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the LX3 and Q-S1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The LX3 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged LX3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography features
40
has manual focus
exports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
46
you can focus manually
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
heavier than average in class (265g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (203g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
has no phase detect autofocus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
low fps (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
60
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (265 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
52
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LX3
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
30
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
heavier than average in class (265g)
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (203g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no microphone port
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax Q-S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-11-04 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 4.5 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 images
Type of battery - 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $449 $250