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Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
76
Features
93
Overall
82

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III 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
  • Launched June 2011
  • Refreshed by Pentax Q10
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2017
  • Succeeded the Sony A7R II
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R IV
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Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Overview

Below, we are comparing the Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and A7R III (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The Q was introduced 7 years before the A7R III and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the Q scores against the A7R III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A7R III

 Q A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Pentax Q

 A7R III Q 
RevealedOctober 2017June 2011Fresher by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kCrisper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A7R III

 Q A7R III 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax Q provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Sony A7R III has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check out the Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the Q and the A7R III.

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the Q and A7R III is 93 and 63 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and A7R III.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A7R III will deliver greater detail using its extra 30MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older Q is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q
Portrait photography with Sony A7R III
45
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
85
manual focus
megapixel count excellent (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography factors
Sony A7R III Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather proof
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Sports photography camera
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
88
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
good battery power (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography info
Sony A7R III Travel photography info
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
73
good battery power (650 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count excellent (42MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q
Landscape photography with Sony A7R III
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good battery power (650 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging advice
Sony A7R III Vlogging advice
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180g)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax Q vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony A7R III
 Pentax QSony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Alpha A7R III
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2017-10-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 25 425
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Available lenses 8 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180g (0.40 pounds) 657g (1.45 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 100
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 14.7
DXO Low light rating 189 3523
Other
Battery life 230 shots 650 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Storage slots Single Two
Price at launch $695 $2,800