Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 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
- Introduced August 2014
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Released April 2010

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Overview
The following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and A850 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizing.

The Q-S1 was revealed 4 years after the A850 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the Q-S1 matches up vs the A850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are provided at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A850
Q-S1 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2014 | ![]() | April 2010 | Newer by 53 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax Q-S1
A850 | Q-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A850
Q-S1 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax Q-S1 has got outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the Q-S1 versus the A850.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and A850 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through specifications. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and A850.
To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Q-S1 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A850 will give you more detail because of its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger Q-S1 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2014-08-04 | 2010-04-15 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Q Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 25MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6048 x 4032 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 8 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/250 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) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 203 gr (0.45 lbs) | 895 gr (1.97 lbs) |
Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 photographs | 880 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI68 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Two |
Retail pricing | $250 | $0 |