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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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
  • Released June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax Q, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The K-30 was unveiled 17 months after the Q making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-30 scores against the Q with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax Q

 K-30 Q 
ReleasedOctober 2012June 2011More modern by 17 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-30

 Q K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax Q

 K-30 Q 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 features outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-30 compared to the Q.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and Q is 63 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and Q.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-30 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-30 will provide more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The newer K-30 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q Portrait photography features
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 shots)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
Pentax Q Travel photography info
60
weather sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
57
lighter than others in class (180g)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery life (230 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q Landscape photography highlights
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
not so great battery (410 shots)
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q Vlogging factors
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-30Pentax Q
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax Q
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-10-29 2011-06-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 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 format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Total lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
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 424 (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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 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 13.0 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1129 189
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 230 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $525 $695