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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Replacement is Sony a3500
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A3000 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q-S1 was manufactured 12 months after the A3000 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the Q-S1 matches up vs the A3000 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A3000

 Q-S1 A3000 
ReleasedAugust 2014August 2013More modern by 12 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Pentax Q-S1

 A3000 Q-S1 

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A3000

 Q-S1 A3000 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax Q-S1 features outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A3000 has sizing of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A3000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the Q-S1 vs the A3000.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and A3000 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and A3000.

All in all, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A3000 will render greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Sony A3000
46
you can focus manually
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography features
Sony A3000 Street photography features
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (203 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
Sony A3000 Sports photography details
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
60
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (470 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than others (203 grams)
built-in flash
not so great battery (250 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
60
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (411 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
Sony A3000 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 per charge)
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A3000 as a Vlogging camera
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (203g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
26
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
more heavy than average in class (411 grams)
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A3000
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha A3000
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-08-04 2013-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Q Engine BIONZ image
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Number of lenses 8 121
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 203 grams (0.45 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 1068
Other
Battery life 250 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card -
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $250 $398