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Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively close but the K-r (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The K-r was revealed 3 months earlier than the Q so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K-r grades vs the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Pentax Q

 K-r Q 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-r

 Q K-r 

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Pentax Q

 K-r Q 
RevealedMarch 2011June 2011Same age
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r comes with outside measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-r versus the Q.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and Q is 67 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The graphic here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-r and Q.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The K-r comes with the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh easier.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (180 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Pentax Q
47
has built in flash
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
57
lighter than others (180g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery life (230 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
Pentax Q Landscape photography details
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging information
Pentax Q Vlogging information
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone support
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-rPentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-r Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-03-11 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598 grams (1.32 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 47
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.1
DXO Low light rating 755 189
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 230 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,100 $695