Olympus PEN-F vs Pentax Q: An In-Depth Mirrorless Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When I first picked up the Olympus PEN-F and Pentax Q for a side-by-side test, it quickly became clear these two mirrorless cameras cater to very different photography enthusiasts - yet they share a visual style and a vintage charm that’s hard to resist. Both are rangefinder-style mirrorless models, but their guts, guts, and guts couldn’t be more different.

After years of testing thousands of cameras, assessing sensors, autofocus, color science, ergonomics, and real-world usability, I’m excited to share a comprehensive look at how these two stack up in 2024. Whether you’re a portrait shooter, landscape lover, wildlife tracker, or budget-minded street snapper, this hands-on analysis will help you see past specs and marketing hype so you can snag the right camera for your needs.

Let’s dive in and unpack strengths, weaknesses, and critical differences, complete with images that reveal both design and photo quality.

Getting to Know the Contenders: At a Glance

Here’s a quick orientation: the Olympus PEN-F (2016) is an advanced Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera designed for serious enthusiasts who want a retro look with modern performance. Its 20MP sensor, TruePic VII processor, and extensive manual and autofocus capabilities make it versatile.

By contrast, the Pentax Q (2011) is smaller and much more entry-level - based around a tiny 12MP 1/2.3" sensor, and made as a pocketable, affordable system with a modest lens selection. It predates many innovations but may appeal to absolute beginners or those obsessed with ultra-compact rigs.

We’ll explore what that means beyond the specs.

Size, Build, and Handling: Ergonomics Matter

Holding these cameras side by side, the Olympus PEN-F feels like it was made for users who want a serious grip and tactile dials. It weighs 427 grams, with a solid magnesium alloy body, and measures 125x72x37 mm. The PEN-F offers classic clubs-for-thumbs-style controls, plus a commanding electronic viewfinder (EVF), and a fully articulated touchscreen LCD - meaning you can flexibly compose shots from weird angles or take super easy selfies.

Contrast that with the Pentax Q: at 180 grams and just 98x57x31 mm, it’s significantly more compact and featherlight - perfect for slipping into a jacket pocket. However, you pay for that minimalist build; the rear TFT LCD lacks touchscreen functions, has lower resolution, and there’s no viewfinder at all. The Q's fixed screen also limits creative composition in tight spots.

I personally find the PEN-F’s layout decidedly more intuitive and comfortable for longer shoots, especially if you’re used to manual controls and desire direct access to settings rather than digging through menus. The Q feels fiddly and toy-like in comparison. However, the Q's pocket-friendliness and undeniable cuteness make it a fun casual carry-around or backup.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Why Size Counts

Here’s where things really diverge. The Olympus PEN-F boasts a 20MP Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm, with an area of 224.9 mm². The Pentax Q uses a tiny 1/2.3” sensor - just 6.17x4.55 mm, or 28.07 mm² of capture area. That’s almost an eightfold difference in sensor size.

Practically, this means the PEN-F delivers significantly better image quality: higher resolution with more detail, improved dynamic range (12.4 EV vs 11.1 EV for the Q), and better noise handling at high ISOs (PEN-F’s DxO low-light ISO score is 894 vs Q’s 189). So for low-light shooting, you get cleaner images and more flexibility with exposure.

Pentax’s 12MP Q, while decent for casual snapshots, struggles under dim conditions and has limited dynamic range. The big punchline: if crisp prints, nuanced shadows, and impressive color gradations matter, PEN-F is the clear winner.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

The PEN-F sports 81 contrast-detection autofocus points with face and eye detection - a plus for portrait shooters who want the camera to lock onto their subject’s eyes quickly and accurately. It offers continuous AF and tracking, with burst shooting at 10 frames per second (fps), enabling you to capture decisive moments in fast action.

In contrast, the Pentax Q offers only 25 contrast-detection focus points, without face detection, and max continuous shooting at a modest 2 fps. Tracking and live view AF aren’t as nuanced, which may frustrate photographers needing to follow moving subjects reliably, such as in sports or wildlife.

Based on my experience testing both, the PEN-F autofocus is confident and fluid, well suited for demanding scenarios, while the Q feels sluggish and less precise outside of static subjects.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

The PEN-F includes a high-res 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 1,037k dots, while the Q has a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD at just 460k dots. The difference in visual clarity and flexibility is immediately noticeable.

While the PEN-F’s EVF is 2.36M dots with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification, the Pentax Q lacks any viewfinder, requiring you to rely solely on the rear screen - in bright sunlight, composing shots can be a challenge.

Personally, I find the PEN-F’s touchscreen a huge workflow booster, letting me quickly change focusing points and swipe through menus with intuitive taps. The Pentax Q’s lack of a viewfinder coupled with the dimmer screen makes it less pleasant for outdoor use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Creative Flexibility

Olympus PEN-F uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, which boasts an ecosystem of over 100 lenses, covering everything from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms and specialized macro optics. With the 2.1x crop factor, adapting lenses for portrait and wildlife photography is manageable with long glass.

By contrast, the Pentax Q mounts a proprietary, small-sensor-specific lens lineup of just 8 optics. The crop factor here balloons to 5.8x, meaning telephoto coverage is extreme but wide-angle options are very limited. Plus, image quality and bokeh characteristics are heavily constrained by the sensor size.

If you want creative freedom and sharpness across genres, PEN-F’s lens choices easily outclass the Pentax system.

Battery Life and Storage: Shoot All Day or Watch Your Power?

The Olympus PEN-F has a rated battery life of approximately 330 shots (CIPA standard), running a BLN-1 battery. The Pentax Q manages around 230 shots with its smaller D-LI68 battery.

In real-world shooting, expect closer to 250-300 shots on the PEN-F with screen and EVF use. The Q will get you through a half-day session, but charging options or extra batteries are advisable for extended shoots.

Both cameras accept standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

The PEN-F offers built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps, a headphone and microphone port are both absent, but HDMI and USB 2.0 are present.

The Pentax Q has no wireless connectivity, limiting on-the-go sharing and tethered workflows. It does include a built-in flash (up to 5.6m range), unlike the PEN-F which requires external flashes.

The PEN-F’s focus bracketing and stacking features are bonuses for macro and still life photographers; the Pentax Q lacks these.

Extensive Photo Discipline Analysis: How They Perform in the Real World

To explore practical usability, I tested both cameras across diverse photography disciplines. Here’s what I found:

Olympus PEN F front Olympus PEN F screen back Pentax Q front Pentax Q screen back

Technical Performance Scores: A Quantitative Perspective

Raw lab data and DxOmark scores reinforce the PEN-F’s superiority, especially in image quality metrics:

Moreover, the PEN-F leads most photography-type category scores. The Q only narrowly holds value in street portability and casual snapshot niches.

Pros and Cons Summaries: Olympus PEN-F vs Pentax Q

Olympus PEN-F Pros

• Larger Four Thirds sensor with excellent image quality
• Fast, accurate autofocus with eye detection
• Fully articulated touchscreen + high-res EVF
• Extensive and mature Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem
• 5-axis sensor stabilization for handheld sharpness
• Advanced features (focus bracketing, Wi-Fi)
• Sturdy build with classic retro design

Olympus PEN-F Cons

• Heavier and bulkier than compact rivals
• No built-in flash (requires external)
• Moderate battery life
• Price higher (around $1,000)

Pentax Q Pros

• Ultra-compact, light, and pocketable
• Built-in flash included
• Easy to use for entry-level and casual shooting
• Unique focal length multiplier for telephoto reach
• Affordable on the used market

Pentax Q Cons

• Tiny 1/2.3” sensor severely limits image quality
• No viewfinder and low-res fixed LCD
• Sluggish autofocus and slow burst shooting
• Limited lenses, creative flexibility
• Lacks wireless and video features
• Poor low-light and dynamic range performance

Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re reading this and seriously considering investing in a mirrorless camera for enthusiast or semi-pro work, the Olympus PEN-F is a no-brainer - especially if you prioritize image quality, creative controls, and versatility. I’ve shot events, portraits, macros, and landscapes with the PEN-F, and it never left me wanting for more in terms of detail or handling.

Photographers who need a compact street camera that can slip in a jacket pocket and don’t mind the tradeoffs might enjoy the Pentax Q. Beginners or those with the cheapskate mindset who want a system just to learn the ropes or casually share snaps might find it fun enough. But don’t expect it to replace your main camera.

Final Thoughts: Value, Experience, and Future-Proofing

After spending multiple weeks testing both models, I came away convinced that despite the PEN-F’s higher price tag, it delivers long-term value through superior image quality, lens range, and build quality. Its 2016 tech still holds up remarkably well against newer cameras when you consider real-world performance.

The Pentax Q is more of an interesting footnote - a cute camera with some charm but very limited capability by today’s standards.

If budget is your main limitation, I’d encourage you to explore newer entry-level mirrorless options with larger sensors rather than fall back on sensors as small as the Q’s.

If you want a camera that grows with your skills, gives stunning results, and handles everything from portraits to landscapes to video with ease, go PEN-F. If your focus is ultralight carry or experimental casual shooting on a tight budget, the Pentax Q might still have a place in your bag.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you make an informed choice that will keep you shooting and loving photography.

Happy clicking!

• • Your friendly neighborhood camera gear nerd, after digging through specs, samples, and shooting sessions with Olympus PEN-F and Pentax Q*