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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
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
  • Released August 2014
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizes.

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The ZS30 was introduced 19 months before the Q-S1 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS30 scores versus the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS30 Q-S1 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 Q-S1 ZS30 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2013Fresher by 19 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS30 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 offers outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS30 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and Q-S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will deliver extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The older ZS30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
33
MP count good (18MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
manual focus
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography details
66
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (203g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
includes touch to focus
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
built-in flash
low battery power (250 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
44
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Q-S1
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-01-07 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 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
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 gr (0.44 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical 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 All around 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 photographs 250 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $250 $250