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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 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
  • Released August 2014
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released May 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and A580 (16MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A580 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q-S1 was introduced 3 years after the A580 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Q-S1 matches up against the A580 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A580

 Q-S1 A580 
ReleasedAugust 2014May 2011More modern by 39 months

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax Q-S1

 A580 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A580

 Q-S1 A580 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 provides exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony A580 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the Q-S1 versus the A580.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and A580 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Q-S1 and A580.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony A580 will result in extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The younger Q-S1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
73
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
Street photography with Sony A580
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
75
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A580 Sports photography highlights
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
good battery (1,050 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
Sony A580 Travel photography information
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
built-in flash
low battery life (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
good battery (1,050 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A580 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 shots)
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (1,050 per charge)
has double storage slots
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A580 as a Vlogging camera
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A580
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-08-04 2011-05-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Q Engine Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 8 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (0.45 lbs) 599 gr (1.32 lbs)
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 All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1121
Other
Battery life 250 shots 1050 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Pricing at launch $250 $848