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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very close but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") possess different sensor sizes.

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The ZS20 was manufactured 3 years before the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS20 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 ZS20 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS20 Q-S1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 Q-S1 ZS20 
IntroducedAugust 2014April 2012More recent by 27 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS20 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 provides outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and 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).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS20 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS20 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS20 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older ZS20 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography factors
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (206g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no mic jack
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Q-S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-04-26 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $349 $250