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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast different sensor size.

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The SZ8 was revealed 7 months prior to the Q-S1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ8 matches up vs the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ8 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 Q-S1 SZ8 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2014More recent by 7 months
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ8 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ8 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and Q-S1 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ8 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic SZ8 will offer extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older SZ8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
35
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
46
manual focus
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than average (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery life (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-01-06 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine 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 alias 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 format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 file 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $275 $250