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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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
  • Renewed by Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both sold by Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-5 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The K-5 was brought out 6 months earlier than the Q and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the K-5 scores against the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax Q

 K-5 Q 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-5

 Q K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax Q

 K-5 Q 
ReleasedDecember 2010June 2011Same generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 enjoys physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-5 vs the Q.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and Q is 60 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and Q.

Plainly, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-5 due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-5 will provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5
Street photography with Pentax Q
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
Pentax Q Travel photography info
65
environment proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
57
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-5Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax Q
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-12-18 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 dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface 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 resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
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 25
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 gr (1.63 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
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 All around score 82 47
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 11.1
DXO Low light score 1162 189
Other
Battery life 980 shots 230 shots
Battery type 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $800 $695