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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(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
  • Released August 2014
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Released September 2014
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and QX30 (20MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and QX30 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The Q-S1 was unveiled very close to the QX30 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the Q-S1 scores versus the QX30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony QX30

 Q-S1 QX30 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 QX30 Q-S1 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony QX30

 Q-S1 QX30 
ReleasedAugust 2014September 2014Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax Q-S1 offers external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the Q-S1 vs the QX30.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and QX30 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the Q-S1 and QX30.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Sony QX30 will show extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures way more aggressively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
Sony QX30 Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
37
decent megapixels (20MP)
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Street photography camera
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (203g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
Sports photography with Sony QX30
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
Sony QX30 Travel photography details
60
lighter than competition (203g)
built-in flash
low battery life (250 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
Landscape photography with Sony QX30
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen ( inch)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery life (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging factors
Sony QX30 Vlogging factors
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony QX30
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q-S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Released 2014-08-04 2014-09-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Q Engine Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Total lenses 8 -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" -
Resolution of screen 460k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 203g (0.45 lb) 193g (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 shots 200 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $250 $348