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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S2 was brought out 7 months later than the Q and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the S2 scores vs the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax Q

 S2 Q 
ReleasedJanuary 2012June 2011More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic S2

 Q S2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax Q

 S2 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic S2 comes with outside measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S2 and the Q.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and Q is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and Q.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic S2 to offer greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer S2 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
34
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (180g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography information
Pentax Q Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
71
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than average (112 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
41
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Pentax Q
33
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than average (112 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-09 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112g (0.25 pounds) 180g (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 280 shots 230 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $109 $695