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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
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
  • Launched August 2014
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-5 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor size.

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The K-5 was released 4 years before the Q-S1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-5 matches up against the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 K-5 Q-S1 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax K-5

 Q-S1 K-5 
LaunchedAugust 2014December 2010Fresher by 44 months

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax Q-S1

 K-5 Q-S1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 has outer measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the K-5 and the Q-S1.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and Q-S1 is 60 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-5 due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-5 will render more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older K-5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
46
has manual focus
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography features
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have a selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
flash built-in
low battery (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-5Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-12-18 2014-08-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
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 424 (25, 30 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 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 grams (1.63 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photos 250 photos
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $800 $250