• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Panasonic GF7

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q-S1
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
All Q-S1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF7
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm lens (Pink)
All GF7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.

  • Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.

  • Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Pentax Q-S1
Pentax Q7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q7

Panasonic GF7
Pentax Q7
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax Q-S1
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic GF7
Samsung NX Mini
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon S2

Pentax Q-S1
Nikon S2
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Nikon S2

Panasonic GF7
Nikon S2
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Nikon S2

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GM5
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GX850
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GX850
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

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