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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly close but the S1 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The S1 was brought out 4 years prior to the Q-S1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the S1 scores vs the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 S1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic S1

 Q-S1 S1 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2011More modern by 43 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax Q-S1

 S1 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 has got external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S1 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and Q-S1 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and Q-S1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor sizes. The S1 features the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field more challenging. The more aged S1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography features
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competition in class (117g)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
bad battery power (250 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
32
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-05 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
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
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 data 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 grams (0.26 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 images 250 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $269 $250