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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(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
Sony A850
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony A850

 Q-S1 A850 
ReleasedAugust 2014April 2010Newer by 53 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax Q-S1

 A850 Q-S1 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A850

 Q-S1 A850 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony A850 Portrait photography advice
46
manual focus
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
72
you can focus manually
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
Sony A850 Street photography highlights
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A850 Sports photography highlights
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
Travel photography with Sony A850
60
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
flash built-in
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
55
environment sealing
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
Landscape photography with Sony A850
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 shots)
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
doesn't have liveview
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
Sony A850 Vlogging details
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
9
no video recording
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony A850
 Pentax Q-S1Sony 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