Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax Q7. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax Q7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax Q7
S3 | Q7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Panasonic S3
Q7 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 31 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax Q7
S3 | Q7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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).
Examine the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax Q7 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Pentax 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 |