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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ40
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
  • Released August 2014
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic LZ30 versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the LZ30 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the LZ30 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The LZ30 was introduced 19 months earlier than the Q-S1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the LZ30 matches up against the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 LZ30 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic LZ30

 Q-S1 LZ30 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2013Fresher by 19 months
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax Q-S1

 LZ30 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LZ30 offers external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LZ30 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 vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the LZ30 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and Q-S1 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The graphic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the LZ30 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The LZ30 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic LZ30 will produce greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older LZ30 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
32
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
focusing manually
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LZ30
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (552g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
47
incredible zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LZ30
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (875mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (552g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
60
lighter than competition (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
45
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
22
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition in class (552 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-01-07 2014-08-04
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $230 $250