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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 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 A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A390, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A390 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The Q-S1 was introduced 4 years after the A390 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the Q-S1 scores vs the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A390

 Q-S1 A390 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2010More modern by 49 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax Q-S1

 A390 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A390

 Q-S1 A390 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q-S1 enjoys outside dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A390 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the Q-S1 against the A390.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and A390 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The pic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Q-S1 and A390.

All in all, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A390 will provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger Q-S1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
Sony A390 Street photography advice
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/1.7")
75
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography advice
Sony A390 Sports photography advice
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography info
Sony A390 Travel photography info
60
lighter than competition (203g)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
Sony A390 Vlogging information
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A390
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-08-04 2010-07-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Q Engine Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
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
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 8 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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 options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 203 grams (0.45 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 230 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $250 $500