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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K-500 versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both built by Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-500 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-500 was released 8 months earlier than the Q-S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the K-500 grades against the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax Q-S1

 K-500 Q-S1 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax K-500

 Q-S1 K-500 
IntroducedAugust 2014November 2013More recent by 8 months

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax Q-S1

 K-500 Q-S1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-500 provides outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions 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-500 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the K-500 versus the Q-S1.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and Q-S1 is 64 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-500 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-500 will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older K-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
46
focusing manually
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography features
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
better than average battery (710 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
67
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (710 per charge)
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging features
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-500Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-500 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-11-27 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME M 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 surface area 372.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 rate 6.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set 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 synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
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 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 photos 250 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA 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 Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $250