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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
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 ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the ZS40 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") have different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was revealed 7 months before the Q-S1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZS40 scores against the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS40 Q-S1 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 Q-S1 ZS40 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2014More recent by 7 months

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS40 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 enjoys outside measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS40 vs the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS40 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS40 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic ZS40 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older ZS40 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
52
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
46
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography features
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (240 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
69
lighter than average (240g)
resolution is good (18MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
56
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
34
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax Q-S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-01-06 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 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 surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 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
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 grams (0.53 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 300 images 250 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $450 $250