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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic TS3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic TS5
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the TS4 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly close but the TS4 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The TS4 was unveiled 3 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the TS4 matches up versus the Q-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Pentax Q-S1

 TS4 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic TS4

 Q-S1 TS4 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2012More modern by 30 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax Q-S1

 TS4 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS4 offers physical dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 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).

Compare the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the TS4 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the TS4 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The pic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS4 and Q-S1.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The TS4 includes the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF trickier. The more aged TS4 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
has manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic TS4
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (310 shots)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
66
great battery life (310 shots)
weather proofing
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery life (250 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
41
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
great battery life (310 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Pentax Q-S1
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-31 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 197 grams (0.43 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 310 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $399 $250