Clicky

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The ZS1 was brought out 6 years before the Q-S1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the ZS1 matches up against the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 Q-S1 ZS1 
IntroducedAugust 2014May 2009More recent by 63 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS1 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS1 comes with exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS1 against the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS1 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and Q-S1.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS1 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older ZS1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography info
25
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
46
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (203g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/1.7")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography info
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others (203 grams)
has built in flash
bad battery (250 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax Q-S1
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-05-14 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 6.3 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 - 250 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $250