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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
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 ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly close but the ZS50 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS50 was released 6 months later than the Q-S1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the ZS50 matches up versus the Q-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS50 Q-S1 
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS50

 Q-S1 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS50 Q-S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2015August 2014Same age
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 provides outside dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ZS50 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The photograph here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS50 and Q-S1.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The ZS50 uses the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF harder.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
42
you can focus manually
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
46
manual focus
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS50
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors (203g)
has built in flash
low battery (250 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging factors
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Q-S1
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-01-06 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243 grams (0.54 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 250 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $250