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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-30
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
  • Announced August 2014
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Pentax K-50 and Pentax Q-S1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both manufactured by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the K-50 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-50 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizing.

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The K-50 was unveiled 8 months before the Q-S1 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the K-50 matches up vs the Q-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax Q-S1

 K-50 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax K-50

 Q-S1 K-50 
AnnouncedAugust 2014November 2013Newer by 8 months

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Pentax Q-S1

 K-50 Q-S1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-50 comes with exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-50 and Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the K-50 vs the Q-S1.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and Q-S1 is 63 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The picture underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-50 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-50 will deliver greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged K-50 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
46
has manual focus
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-50
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (203g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery life (410 shots)
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-50
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery life (410 shots)
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-50Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-50 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-11-27 2014-08-04
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias 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 51600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Available lenses 151 8
Crop factor 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 friendly
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
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical 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 rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1120 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 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
Storage slots One One
Retail price $610 $250