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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is very well matched but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and Q (1/2.3") have different sensor measurements.

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The ZS1 was released 3 years earlier than the Q and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS1 matches up vs the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax Q

 ZS1 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS1

 Q ZS1 
RevealedJune 2011May 2009More recent by 25 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q

 ZS1 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS1 comes with physical measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the ZS1 against the Q.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and Q is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and Q.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax Q will give you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
25
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
45
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
Street photography with Pentax Q
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q Sports photography highlights
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than others (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery power (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q Vlogging advice
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than others (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax Q
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-05-14 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lbs) 180 grams (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $0 $695