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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 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 SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax Q-S1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") have different sensor measurements.

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The SZ5 was unveiled 24 months prior to the Q-S1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ5 matches up vs the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ5 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 Q-S1 SZ5 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2012Newer by 24 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ5 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 has got outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SZ5 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The image underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and Q-S1.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ5 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic SZ5 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged SZ5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
you can focus manually
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than competition (136g)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
42
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-07-18 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 14MP 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 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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 support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $195 $250