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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
  • Released August 2014
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ3 was manufactured 19 months prior to the Q-S1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ3 grades against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ3 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 Q-S1 SZ3 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2013Fresher by 19 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ3 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 has external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ3 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and Q-S1 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic SZ3 will give you extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ3 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
manual focus
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography info
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than others (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography highlights
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-07 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $150 $250