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Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
75
Imaging
73
Features
45
Overall
61
Leica M10 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Leica M10
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 80 x 39mm
  • Revealed January 2017
  • Updated by Leica M11
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
  • Released August 2014
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Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the M10 (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the M10 (Full frame) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The M10 was announced 2 years later than the Q-S1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the M10 scores versus the Q-S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M10 over the Pentax Q-S1

 M10 Q-S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2017August 2014Fresher by 30 months
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Leica M10

 Q-S1 M10 

Common features in the Leica M10 and Pentax Q-S1

 M10 Q-S1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Leica M10 provides external measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 39mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera with 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 have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the M10 versus the Q-S1.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M10 and Q-S1 is 75 and 92 respectively.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M10 and Q-S1.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M10 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Leica M10 will deliver extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher M10 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M10 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
83
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
46
manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Leica M10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
69
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
good high ISO (50,000)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M10 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
53
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
no phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M10
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
57
decent megapixels (24MP)
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery power (250 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M10 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (50,000)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (210 shots)
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M10 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
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Leica M10 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M10 and Pentax Q-S1
 Leica M10Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model type Leica M10 Pentax Q-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2017-01-18 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 855.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5952 x 3992 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 50000 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens support Leica M Pentax Q
Number of lenses 59 8
Focal length multiplier 1 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660g (1.46 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 39mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 86 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2133 not tested
Other
Battery life 210 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $7,595 $250