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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
75
Features
92
Overall
81

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Revealed August 2014
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A99
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A99 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A99 II (Full frame) possess totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The Q-S1 was launched 3 years earlier than the A99 II and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the Q-S1 matches up against the A99 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A99 II

 Q-S1 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Pentax Q-S1

 A99 II Q-S1 
RevealedSeptember 2016August 2014More recent by 25 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A99 II

 Q-S1 A99 II 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax Q-S1 provides outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

See the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A99 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the Q-S1 against the A99 II.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and A99 II is 92 and 57 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements merely by seeing technical specs. The visual here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Q-S1 and A99 II.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Q-S1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A99 II will show greater detail utilizing its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older Q-S1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
85
manual focus
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 II Street photography highlights
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/1.7")
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
built-in flash
low battery power (250 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
environment proof
supports bluetooth
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
Sony A99 II Landscape photography features
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
81
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery power (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
Sony A99 II Vlogging details
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A99 II
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-08-04 2016-09-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Q Engine Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Full frame
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 8 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 203g (0.45 lbs) 849g (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 2317
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 490 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots 1 2
Pricing at launch $250 $3,198