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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was brought out 3 years later than the Q and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS50 grades versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax Q

 ZS50 Q 
IntroducedJanuary 2015June 2011More recent by 44 months
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS50

 Q ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q

 ZS50 Q 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 has physical dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS50 versus the Q.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and Q is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The visual here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and Q.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos however you have to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher ZS50 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q Portrait photography factors
42
has manual focus
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
45
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
Pentax Q Street photography features
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (243g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (180 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography info
Pentax Q Sports photography info
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
66
lighter than others (243 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than others (180g)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (230 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
51
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
Vlogging with Pentax Q
34
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (243g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (180 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Q
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2015-01-06 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing 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 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 gr (0.54 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 44 47
DXO Color Depth score 20.0 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 11.1
DXO Low light score 138 189
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 230 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $695