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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both produced by Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the K-01 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-01 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-01 was launched 12 months later than the Q so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the K-01 matches up against the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax Q

 K-01 Q 
IntroducedMay 2012June 2011Fresher by 12 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-01

 Q K-01 

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax Q

 K-01 Q 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-01 has got external measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the K-01 versus the Q.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and Q is 76 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-01 and Q.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-01 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-01 will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The younger K-01 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography features
Pentax Q Street photography features
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
heavier than competitors (561g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Pentax Q
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of phase detect AF
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
65
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competitors (561g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q Landscape photography details
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-01
Vlogging with Pentax Q
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (561g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-01Pentax Q
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-30 2011-06-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Total lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/2000s
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, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561g (1.24 pounds) 180g (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 47
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1135 189
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 230 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $899 $695