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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
64
Features
71
Overall
66

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Launched December 2011
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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Below is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The Q was manufactured 5 months prior to the NEX-7 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the Q matches up against the NEX-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony NEX-7

 Q NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Pentax Q

 NEX-7 Q 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony NEX-7

 Q NEX-7 
LaunchedJune 2011December 2011Similar age
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q provides outside dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Compare the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the Q vs the NEX-7.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q and NEX-7 is 93 and 84 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The graphic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and NEX-7.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Q due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-7 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-7
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
78
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography info
Sony NEX-7 Street photography info
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
76
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography features
Sony NEX-7 Sports photography features
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect AF
62
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography info
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography info
57
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
70
good battery (430 CIPA)
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
72
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (430 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q
Vlogging with Sony NEX-7
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
35
comes with face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony NEX-7
 Pentax QSony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Alpha NEX-7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2011-12-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Amount of lenses 8 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180g (0.40 lb) 400g (0.88 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 81
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 13.4
DXO Low light rating 189 1016
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 430 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $695 $699