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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was brought out 3 years earlier than the Q which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS3 grades versus the Q in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax Q

 ZS3 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS3

 Q ZS3 
IntroducedJune 2011May 2009More modern by 25 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax Q

 ZS3 Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 offers exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax Q has sizing 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 ZS3 vs Pentax Q in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 against the Q.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and Q is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The pic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and Q.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax Q to result in more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
Pentax Q Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography information
Pentax Q Sports photography information
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (230 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
35
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q Vlogging factors
30
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax Q
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-05-14 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
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 score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery type - 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $200 $695