Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX10 III

Below, we will be analyzing the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony RX10 III, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and RX10 III (20MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and RX10 III (1") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The Q-S1 was announced 20 months prior to the RX10 III which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX10 III being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the Q-S1 matches up versus the RX10 III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Q-S1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery & Sony RX10 III Gallery.

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 offers physical dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony RX10 III has proportions of 133mm x 94mm x 127mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.0") accompanied by a weight of 1051 grams (2.32 lbs).

Compare the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony RX10 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Q-S1 versus the RX10 III.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and RX10 III is 92 and 53 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Q-S1 and RX10 III.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony RX10 III will resolve greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged Q-S1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.