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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ1 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ1 was launched 3 years before the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ1 grades versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 Q-S1 SZ1 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2012More recent by 31 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ1 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 has outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the all new 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 are employing during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ1 against the Q-S1.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through specs. The graphic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic SZ1 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older SZ1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
has manual focus
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
70
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
43
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-09 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
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 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 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $179 $250