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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the S3 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The S3 was released 4 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S3 grades versus the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 S3 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic S3

 Q-S1 S3 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2011Newer by 43 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q-S1

 S3 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 comes with outer dimensions 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 proportions 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 S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S3 compared to the Q-S1.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and Q-S1 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic S3 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
focusing manually
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (203g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
68
lighter than average (117g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than others (203 grams)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
38
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (203 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-05 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Physical 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 250 images 250 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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 card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $110 $250