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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-5 II versus Pentax Q, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-5 II (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-5 II (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") posses different sensor measurements.

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The K-5 II was launched 24 months later than the Q making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the K-5 II scores versus the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax Q

 K-5 II Q 
ReleasedJune 2013June 2011Fresher by 24 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-5 II

 Q K-5 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax Q

 K-5 II Q 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 II comes with outside measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-5 II versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the K-5 II against the Q.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and Q is 60 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 II and Q.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-5 II featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-5 II will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-5 II provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
45
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography advice
Pentax Q Street photography advice
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography info
Pentax Q Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-5 IIPentax Q
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 II Pentax Q
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-04 2011-06-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II -
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 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 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760 grams (1.68 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 82 47
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 11.1
DXO Low light score 1235 189
Other
Battery life 980 images 230 images
Battery style 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 SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $830 $695