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Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced 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
  • Released June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax S1 and Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Pentax. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S1 was released 3 months earlier than the Q which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the S1 scores against the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax Q

 S1 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax S1

 Q S1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Pentax Q

 S1 Q 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2011Similar age
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax S1 enjoys outside dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Pentax S1 and Pentax Q in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S1 vs the Q.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and Q is 93 and 93 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through specifications. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and Q.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax S1 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
35
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography advice
Pentax Q Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (180g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than average in class (180g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
bad battery life (230 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography info
Pentax Q Landscape photography info
42
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Pentax Q
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
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Pentax S1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Pentax Q
 Pentax Optio S1Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio S1 Pentax Q
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-03-02 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 pictures 230 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $174 $695