Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced June 2010

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and HX5 (1/2.4") provide totally different sensor measurements.

The Q-S1 was manufactured 4 years later than the HX5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Q-S1 grades versus the HX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Q-S1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are available at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony HX5
Q-S1 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 51 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Pentax Q-S1
HX5 | Q-S1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony HX5
Q-S1 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q-S1 has physical measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
See the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Q-S1 compared to the HX5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and HX5 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and HX5.
As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 because of its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2014-08-04 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Q Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax Q | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Amount of lenses | 8 | - |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 203 grams (0.45 lb) | 200 grams (0.44 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 shots | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $250 | $275 |