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Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Samsung NX300M front
Portability
86
Imaging
61
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs

Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
Samsung NX300M
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Released January 2013
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Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and NX300M (20MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and NX300M (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The Q was released 18 months earlier than the NX300M which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the Q matches up versus the NX300M when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Samsung NX300M

 Q NX300M 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Pentax Q

 NX300M Q 
ReleasedJanuary 2013June 2011More modern by 18 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution768k460kClearer screen (+308k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q and Samsung NX300M

 Q NX300M 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q has got outer measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX300M has dimensions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the Q vs the NX300M.

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Q and NX300M is 93 and 86 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and NX300M.

All in all, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Samsung NX300M will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged Q will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography details
Samsung NX300M Portrait photography details
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography highlights
Samsung NX300M Street photography highlights
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX300M Sports photography highlights
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography factors
Samsung NX300M Travel photography factors
57
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery (230 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
66
has focus via touch
MP count good (20MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q Landscape photography info
Samsung NX300M Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3.3 inch)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging factors
Samsung NX300M Vlogging factors
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
33
touch screen
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
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Pentax Q vs Samsung NX300M Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Samsung NX300M
 Pentax QSamsung NX300M
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Q Samsung NX300M
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-06-23 2013-01-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - DRIMe IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 25 247
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Samsung NX
Amount of lenses 8 32
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 768 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180g (0.40 lbs) 331g (0.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 189 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 330 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $695 $699