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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
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
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the ZS15 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS15 was announced 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS15 scores versus the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS15 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS15

 Q-S1 ZS15 
IntroducedAugust 2014June 2012More recent by 25 months
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS15 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 features external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS15 and the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS15 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The graphic here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS15 and Q-S1.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The ZS15 offers the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder. The older ZS15 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
46
you can focus manually
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (260 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
37
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Q-S1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-06-29 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208g (0.46 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 260 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $279 $250