Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-F3

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The Q-S1 was released 24 months later than the NEX-F3 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the Q-S1 grades against the NEX-F3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony Alpha NEX-F3. The complete galleries are available at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery and Sony NEX-F3 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 comes with exterior 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) while the Sony NEX-F3 has proportions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-F3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the Q-S1 compared to the NEX-F3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and NEX-F3 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Q-S1 and NEX-F3.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-F3 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern Q-S1 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.