Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43


67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Revealed April 2009

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and HX1 (1/2.4") feature totally different sensor sizes.

The Q-S1 was brought out 5 years later than the HX1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the Q-S1 scores versus the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Q-S1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony HX1
Q-S1 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2014 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 65 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Pentax Q-S1
HX1 | Q-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony HX1
Q-S1 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 offers outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the Q-S1 against the HX1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and HX1 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The graphic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Q-S1 and HX1.
As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will produce greater detail having its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2014-08-04 | 2009-04-22 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Q Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 9 megapixels |
Anti aliasing 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 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax Q | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Total lenses | 8 | - |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 9.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1440x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 203g (0.45 lb) | 544g (1.20 lb) |
Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $250 | $47,999 |