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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was brought out 21 months before the Q-S1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-30 matches up against the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 K-30 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax K-30

 Q-S1 K-30 
ReleasedAugust 2014October 2012Newer by 21 months

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax Q-S1

 K-30 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 has got outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the K-30 compared to the Q-S1.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and Q-S1 is 63 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-30 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-30 will render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged K-30 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
46
has manual focus
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-30
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery pack (250 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
60
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
low battery life (410 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competition (203g)
built-in flash
low battery pack (250 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery life (410 CIPA)
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery pack (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (203g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-30Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-10-29 2014-08-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Total lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file 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 Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $525 $250