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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
93
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Released January 2015
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ10 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ10 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast different sensor sizes.

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The SZ10 was revealed 6 months later than the Q-S1 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ10 matches up against the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ10 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic SZ10

 Q-S1 SZ10 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ10 Q-S1 
LaunchedJanuary 2015August 2014Similar age
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ10 has outside dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ10 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ10 and Q-S1 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ10 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ10 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Panasonic SZ10 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography features
36
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
you can focus manually
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
70
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (177 grams)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
slow fps (1.4 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ10
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
67
lighter than others (177 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery (250 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
42
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than others (177g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax Q-S1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2015-01-06 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 177g (0.39 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 200 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $200 $250