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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Released June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax Q, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was released 7 months later than the Q which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ1 matches up against the Q with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax Q

 SZ1 Q 
ReleasedJanuary 2012June 2011More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic SZ1

 Q SZ1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax Q

 SZ1 Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ1 versus the Q.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and Q is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and Q.

As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ1 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ1 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Pentax Q Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
43
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Q
Category 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 measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 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
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 131g (0.29 lb) 180g (0.40 lb)
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 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 250 images 230 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $179 $695