Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100
92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43
91 Imaging
50 Features
68 Overall
57
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Launched August 2014
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Launched August 2012
- Successor is Sony RX100 II
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On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and RX100 (1") boast different sensor sizes.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe Q-S1 was launched 24 months later than the RX100 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the Q-S1 matches up against the RX100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery and Sony RX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony RX100
| Q-S1 | RX100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2014 | August 2012 | Fresher by 24 months |
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax Q-S1
| RX100 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 1229k | 460k | Crisper screen (+769k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony RX100
| Q-S1 | RX100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither has Touch screen |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 has outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony RX100 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Check the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the Q-S1 compared to the RX100.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and RX100 is 92 and 91 respectively.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q-S1 and RX100.
To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony RX100 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications
| Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2014-08-04 | 2012-08-28 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Q Engine | - |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1" |
| Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
| Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 116.2mm² |
| 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 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5472 x 3648 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax Q | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/1.8-4.9 |
| Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
| Total lenses | 8 | - |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 2.7 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 1,229 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | - | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/2000 seconds |
| 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| 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 | 203 grams (0.45 lbs) | 240 grams (0.53 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 390 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 250 photos | 330 photos |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-BX1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $250 | $448 |