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Pentax Q was announced in 2011 and is a 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) Mirrorless camera with 12.4 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 125 to 6,400. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.
Pentax Q can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.
In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax Q.
And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:
In 2012 Pentax Q was replaced by Pentax Q10. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pentax Q and its successor.
| UPGRADES | Pentax Q10 | vs | Pentax Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Native ISO | 100 | vs | 125 |
| Timelapse Recording | vs | ||
| Face Detection | vs | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (optional) | vs | |
| Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) | 1/8000 sec | vs | 1/2000 sec |
| Higher Max Continuous Shooting | 5.0 fps | vs | 1.5 fps |
| Higher DxO Color Depth | 21.1 | vs | 20.2 |
| Higher DxO Overall Score | 49 | vs | 47 |
| Longer Battery Life | 270 shots | vs | 230 shots |
| DOWNGRADES | Pentax Q10 | vs | Pentax Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower DxO Low Light ISO | 183 | vs | 189 |
| Lower DxO Dynamic Range | 10.9 | vs | 11.1 |
| Heavier | 200 g (0.44 lb / 7.05 oz) | vs | 180 g (0.40 lb / 6.35 oz) |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax Q vs Q10.
Pentax Q has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 460k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.
Pentax Q features a 12.4 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.
Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax Q's 1/2.3-inch sensor compares with other types of sensors:
| Sensor | Dimensions | Area | Aspect Ratio | Crop Factor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Medium Format | 44 x 33 mm | 1452 mm2 | 4:3 | 0.79x |
 | Full Frame | 36 x 24 mm | 864 mm2 | 3:2 | 1x |
 | APS-H | 27 x 18 mm | 486 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.3x |
 | APS-C | 23.6 x 15.6 mm | 368.2 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.5x |
 0.webp) | APS-C (Canon) | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 332.3 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.6x |
 | Micro Four Thirds | 17.4 x 13 mm | 226.2 mm2 | 4:3 | 2x |
 | 1-inch | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 116.2 mm2 | 3:2 | 2.7x |
 | 1/1.7-inch | 7.44 x 5.58 mm | 41.5 mm2 | 4:3 | 4.7x |
 | 1/2.3-inch | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 28.1 mm2 | 4:3 | 5.6x |
Camera can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4000 x 2664, 4000 x 2248, 3456 x 2595, 3456 x 2304, 3456 x 1944, 2992 x 2992, 2688 x 2016, 2688 x 1792, 2688 x 1512, 2016 x 2016, 1920 x 1440, 1920 x 1280, 1440 x 1440 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.
Pentax Q has Pentax Q lens mount. Due to 1/2.3-inch sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 5.6x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 5.6.
The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.
Pentax Q has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.
Pentax Q comes with D-LI68 battery pack with battery life of 230 shots.
The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.
Pentax Q's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps.
Pentax Q has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.60 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec.
Pentax Q has dimensions of 98 x 57 x 31 mm (3.86 x 2.24 x 1.22"). It weighs 180 g (0.40 lb / 6.35 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.
98 mm (3.86")
57 mm (2.24")
57 mm (2.24")
31 mm (1.22")
Pentax Q dimensions
We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax Q is suitable for six different types of photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 56 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 59 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 62 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.
Pentax Q gets a score of 86 and is EXCELLENT choice for Travel photography.
We evaluate Pentax Q and give score of 58 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.
We give Pentax Q a score of 58 for Sensor parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 74 for Photo parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 45 for Video parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 60 for Focusing parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 53 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 61 for Connectivity parameters.
We give Pentax Q a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.
For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:
