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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(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
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A350
  • Later Model is Sony A390
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Overview

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.

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The 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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A380

 Q-S1 A380 
AnnouncedAugust 2014August 2009More modern by 61 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax Q-S1

 A380 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Sony A380
46
you can focus manually
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
Street photography with Sony A380
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (203g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A380 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
bad battery (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (500 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
Sony A380 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (203g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic port
9
no video shooting
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A380
 Pentax Q-S1Sony 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