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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS8
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS7 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the ZS7 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The ZS7 was revealed 4 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the ZS7 matches up vs the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ZS7 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Panasonic ZS7

 Q-S1 ZS7 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2011More modern by 37 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax Q-S1

 ZS7 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS7 features outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS7 versus the Q-S1.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS7 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS7 and Q-S1.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The ZS7 contains the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF tougher. The more aged ZS7 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
46
manual focus
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS7
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (218g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
63
lighter than others in class (218 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery (250 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS7
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
38
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
30
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (218g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax Q-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax Q-S1
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-07-19 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 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
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 grams (0.48 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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 card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $250