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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Old Model is Sony a5000
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and a5100 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q-S1 was announced very close to the a5100 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the Q-S1 scores against the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony a5100

 Q-S1 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Pentax Q-S1

 a5100 Q-S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony a5100

 Q-S1 a5100 
IntroducedAugust 2014August 2014Same generation
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q-S1 features exterior dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Look at the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony a5100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the Q-S1 and the a5100.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and a5100 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q-S1 and a5100.

Plainly, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony a5100 will provide extra detail with its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
46
has manual focus
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
Sony a5100 Street photography info
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
82
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
Sports photography with Sony a5100
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
68
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
Sony a5100 Travel photography factors
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
80
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
has touch to focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging advice
Sony a5100 Vlogging advice
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
34
touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony a5100
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha a5100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-08-04 2014-08-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Q Engine Bionz X
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 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 179
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 203 gr (0.45 lb) 283 gr (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 250 photos 400 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $250 $448