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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 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
  • Introduced August 2014
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony G3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very close but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and G3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q-S1 was revealed 5 years after the G3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the Q-S1 grades versus the G3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony G3

 Q-S1 G3 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2009Newer by 68 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 G3 Q-S1 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony G3

 Q-S1 G3 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 has got outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has proportions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

See the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony G3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the Q-S1 and the G3.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and G3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The image here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and G3.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Q-S1 using its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Sony G3
46
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
26
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
Sony G3 Sports photography details
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
no phase detect AF
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
Travel photography with Sony G3
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (250 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
Sony G3 Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 shots)
36
you can focus manually
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
27
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone support
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony G3
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q-S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-08-04 2009-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Q Engine -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Available lenses 8 -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (at ISO 100) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.45 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $250 $200