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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q
  • New Model is Pentax Q7
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax Q10, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and Q10 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-S1 was announced 24 months later than the Q10 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-S1 matches up versus the Q10 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax Q10

 K-S1 Q10 
RevealedAugust 2014September 2012Fresher by 24 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Pentax K-S1

 Q10 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax Q10

 K-S1 Q10 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-S1 has got exterior measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax Q10 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax Q10 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-S1 compared to the Q10.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and Q10 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S1 and Q10.

All in all, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-S1 with its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Pentax K-S1 will produce more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger K-S1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography highlights
77
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
48
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (558g)
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (200g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Sports photography camera
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 shots)
36
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than others (558g)
decent megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others in class (200 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (270 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q10
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
54
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q10 Vlogging details
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (558 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (200g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax Q10
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Q10
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Q10
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-08-27 2012-09-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 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 H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 gr (1.23 pounds) 200 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 49
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 10.9
DXO Low light rating 1061 183
Other
Battery life 410 images 270 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $339 $350