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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax Q-S1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-3 II (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-3 II was unveiled 9 months after the Q-S1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the K-3 II matches up versus the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax Q-S1

 K-3 II Q-S1 
AnnouncedApril 2015August 2014More modern by 9 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 Q-S1 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax Q-S1

 K-3 II Q-S1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 II features outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-3 II against the Q-S1.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and Q-S1 is 59 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The image here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and Q-S1.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-3 II having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-3 II will produce extra detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer K-3 II is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
46
focusing manually
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (203g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low battery power (720 CIPA)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
56
weather proofing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
low battery power (720 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery power (720 shots)
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax Q-S1
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-04-23 2014-08-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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 (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 shots 250 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 2 Single
Cost at release $829 $250