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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Q7 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 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
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax Q7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax Q10
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the Q7 (12MP) is very similar but the S3 (1/2.3") and Q7 (1/1.7") have different sensor sizes.

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The S3 was introduced 3 years earlier than the Q7 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the S3 matches up vs the Q7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax Q7

 S3 Q7 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Panasonic S3

 Q7 S3 
RevealedAugust 2013January 2011Fresher by 31 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q7

 S3 Q7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 features exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q7 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S3 compared to the Q7.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and Q7 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The visual here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and Q7.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S3 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic S3 will offer extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The older S3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q7 Portrait photography info
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
48
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography advice
Pentax Q7 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (200g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography details
Pentax Q7 Sports photography details
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography info
Pentax Q7 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than average (200 grams)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Landscape photography camera
38
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
Pentax Q7 Vlogging details
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (200g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Q7
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Q7
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2013-08-08
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor 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 Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
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 -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD monitor, wide angle viewing, AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 4.90 m (ISO100/m)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) FullHD(1920x1080, 30fps/25fps/24fps), HD(1280x720,16:9,30fps/25fps/24fps), VGA(640x480,4:3,30fps/25fps/24fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 200 grams (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (12 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC and Eye-Fi Card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $110 $480