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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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
  • Released June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was manufactured 23 months prior to the Q making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ZR1 grades versus the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax Q

 ZR1 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZR1

 Q ZR1 
ReleasedJune 2011July 2009Newer by 23 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax Q

 ZR1 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 has got outer measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 against the Q.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and Q is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR1 and Q.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files however you need to take the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged ZR1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
Street photography with Pentax Q
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q Travel photography advice
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone port
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax Q
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax Q
Also called as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-07-27 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.10 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 230 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $280 $695