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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus SH-2
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was unveiled 4 years after the Q which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the SH-3 grades vs the Q with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Pentax Q

 SH-3 Q 
IntroducedFebruary 2016June 2011Newer by 57 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus SH-3

 Q SH-3 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax Q

 SH-3 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SH-3 offers physical dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-3 vs the Q.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and Q is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-3 and Q.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SH-3 to provide greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent SH-3 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
44
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-3
Street photography with Pentax Q
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
lighter than competition (271 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (180 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
74
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271g)
has focus by touch
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
57
lighter than competition (180g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
55
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q Vlogging factors
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Pentax Q
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-02-08 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 180 grams (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 380 photos 230 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $579 $695