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Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70
Pentax KP front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Announced January 2017
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
  • Launched August 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the KP (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the KP (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The KP was manufactured 2 years after the Q-S1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the KP scores versus the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax Q-S1

 KP Q-S1 
LaunchedJanuary 2017August 2014More modern by 31 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax KP

 Q-S1 KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Pentax Q-S1

 KP Q-S1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax KP has got outside measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the KP against the Q-S1.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the KP and Q-S1 is 61 and 92 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the KP and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The KP due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax KP will resolve greater detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger KP will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
80
focusing manually
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
46
has manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax KP
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good high ISO (819,200)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
bad battery pack (390 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
61
environment proof
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (390 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition (203g)
built-in flash
bad battery power (250 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KP
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
bad battery pack (390 CIPA)
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP Vlogging advice
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging advice
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Pentax KP vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax KPPentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax KP Pentax Q-S1
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2017-01-26 2014-08-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME IV Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
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 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 27 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/24000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703 grams (1.55 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 390 photos 250 photos
Type of battery 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Launch price $747 $250