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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Launched August 2014
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZR3 was revealed 5 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ZR3 matches up versus the Q-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZR3 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZR3

 Q-S1 ZR3 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2010More recent by 55 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZR3 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR3 provides physical measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the ZR3 against the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and Q-S1 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR3 and Q-S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZR3 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZR3 will result in more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older ZR3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
46
has manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
65
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
37
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
29
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax Q-S1
Also called Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-26 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II 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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 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 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 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 - 250 pictures
Style of battery - 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 Single Single
Price at release $280 $250