Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43
63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Released August 2014
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Newer Model is Sony A560
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The following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A500, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly close but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A500 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe Q-S1 was announced 5 years after the A500 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Q-S1 scores vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Q-S1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A500
| Q-S1 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2014 |  | August 2009 | Newer by 61 months |
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax Q-S1
| A500 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A500
| Q-S1 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial precise focus | ||
| Display dimension | 3" |  | 3" | Identical display size |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither contains Touch display |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and size. The Pentax Q-S1 has got outer 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) whilst the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Check out the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony A500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the Q-S1 compared to the A500.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and A500 is 92 and 63 respectively.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and A500.
As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The Q-S1 has got the smaller sensor which will make obtaining bokeh more challenging. The newer Q-S1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2014-08-04 | 2009-08-27 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Q Engine | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 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 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Available lenses | 8 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| 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 | None |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | 203g (0.45 lb) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
| Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 250 photographs | 520 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at release | $250 | $638 |