Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
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68 Imaging
52 Features
54 Overall
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Revealed August 2014
(Full Review)
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Lets look more closely at the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively similar but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A380 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.
Photography GlossaryThe Q-S1 was revealed 5 years after the A380 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the Q-S1 grades against the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Q-S1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The full galleries are provided at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery & Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A380
| Q-S1 | A380 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2014 | August 2009 | More modern by 61 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax Q-S1
| A380 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A380
| Q-S1 | A380 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax Q-S1 offers outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony A380 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).
Look at the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the Q-S1 against the A380.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and A380 is 92 and 68 respectively.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Q-S1 and A380.
Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A380 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern Q-S1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Specifications
| Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2014-08-04 | 2009-08-24 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Q Engine | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 8 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) | - |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 203 grams (0.45 lb) | 519 grams (1.14 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 67 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 614 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 250 photographs | 500 photographs |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $250 | $899 |