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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
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
  • Launched June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was released 13 months later than the Q making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the ZS15 scores versus the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax Q

 ZS15 Q 
LaunchedJune 2012June 2011Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS15

 Q ZS15 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax Q

 ZS15 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS15 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS15 and 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 differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS15 versus the Q.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and Q.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of files though you would want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern ZS15 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (180g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Pentax Q
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
Pentax Q Travel photography information
61
lighter than others (208 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Q
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-06-29 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 208 grams (0.46 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 260 shots 230 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $279 $695