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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SP-100 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was manufactured 2 years after the Q which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SP-100 grades versus the Q in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Pentax Q

 SP-100 Q 
RevealedJanuary 2014June 2011More modern by 32 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus SP-100

 Q SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Pentax Q

 SP-100 Q 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-100 offers outside measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") along with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SP-100 compared to the Q.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-100 and Q is 63 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The pic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-100 and Q.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus SP-100 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SP-100 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
42
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (594g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-100
Sports photography with Pentax Q
53
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-100
Travel photography with Pentax Q
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (594g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-100
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
47
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (594 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Pentax Q
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pentax Q
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-01-29 2011-06-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.9-6.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 594 grams (1.31 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 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 330 pictures 230 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $400 $695