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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was released 2 years later than the Q and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ8 matches up against the Q with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax Q

 SZ8 Q 
IntroducedJanuary 2014June 2011More recent by 31 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic SZ8

 Q SZ8 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q

 SZ8 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has outer dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ8 compared to the Q.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and Q is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and Q.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to offer greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent SZ8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
35
good MP (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
Pentax Q Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Pentax Q
67
lighter than competition in class (159g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
32
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Q
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-01-06 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 159g (0.35 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 230 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $275 $695