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Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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
  • Revealed August 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-r versus Pentax Q-S1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the K-r (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor size.

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The K-r was announced 4 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-r grades vs the Q-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-r Q-S1 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

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

 Q-S1 K-r 
RevealedAugust 2014March 2011Newer by 41 months

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

 K-r Q-S1 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions 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-r versus Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-r compared to the Q-S1.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-r and Q-S1 is 67 and 92 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The pic underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and Q-S1.

All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The K-r uses the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The more aged K-r will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
46
manual focus
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
47
flash built-in
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competitors (203g)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
65
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (203g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-rPentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-r Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-03-11 2014-08-04
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 41.5mm²
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 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Available lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598g (1.32 lbs) 203g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 755 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form 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 media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,100 $250