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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q
  • Later Model is Pentax Q7
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Pentax K-1 and Pentax Q10, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and Q10 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The K-1 was manufactured 3 years after the Q10 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-1 matches up versus the Q10 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax Q10

 K-1 Q10 
ReleasedFebruary 2016September 2012More modern by 42 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Pentax K-1

 Q10 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax Q10

 K-1 Q10 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 comes with outer dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax Q10 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax Q10 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the K-1 compared to the Q10.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and Q10 is 55 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and Q10.

To sum up, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-1 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher K-1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography info
85
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
48
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography information
Pentax Q10 Street photography information
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others (1,010g)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (200g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
low battery life (760 per charge)
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (270 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proof
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
low battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than others (1,010g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition (200 grams)
has built in flash
low battery life (270 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery life (760 per charge)
54
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (270 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q10 Vlogging advice
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,010 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (200 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax Q10
 Pentax K-1Pentax Q10
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax Q10
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-02-17 2012-09-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 204800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 33 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) 200 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 49
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 10.9
DXO Low light score 3280 183
Other
Battery life 760 images 270 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 One
Pricing at release $1,499 $350