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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    203g vs 569g
    Lighter weight

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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH4
Body Only
All GH4 Deals

Your purchases support this site

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

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GH3
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Pentax Q7

Panasonic GH4
Pentax Q7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q7

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

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Pentax Q-S1
Olympus E-M1
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Nikon S2

Panasonic GH4
Nikon S2
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic G7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?