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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a extended review of the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was revealed 5 months prior to the Q so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the S3 grades versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax Q

 S3 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic S3

 Q S3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q

 S3 Q 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 enjoys physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S3 against the Q.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and Q is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and Q.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic S3 to give you extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
28
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Pentax Q Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography information
Pentax Q Travel photography information
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than competition (180g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
Pentax Q Landscape photography info
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S3
Vlogging with Pentax Q
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (180g)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Q
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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 MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 117 grams (0.26 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 photos 230 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $110 $695