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Pentax KP vs Pentax Q

Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70
Pentax KP front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Released January 2017
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
  • Released June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Pentax KP vs Pentax Q, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the KP (24MP) and Q (12MP) and the KP (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The KP was announced 5 years after the Q which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the KP grades against the Q in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax Q

 KP Q 
ReleasedJanuary 2017June 2011More modern by 69 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax KP

 Q KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Pentax Q

 KP Q 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax KP features physical measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Pentax KP vs Pentax Q in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the KP and the Q.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the KP and Q is 61 and 93 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the KP and Q.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The KP having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax KP will deliver extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger KP will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
80
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
76
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (819,200)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
bad battery pack (390 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
61
weather proofing
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
bad battery pack (390 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competition (180g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax KP Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (819,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (390 shots)
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
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Pentax KP vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Pentax Q
 Pentax KPPentax Q
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax KP Pentax Q
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2017-01-26 2011-06-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 819200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 27 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/24000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703 gr (1.55 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 390 images 230 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $747 $695