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Pentax Q vs Sony a5100

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Pentax Q vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the Q (12MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The Q was launched 4 years before the a5100 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the Q grades vs the a5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony a5100

 Q a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Pentax Q

 a5100 Q 
AnnouncedAugust 2014June 2011Newer by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony a5100

 Q a5100 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q has outside measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the Q vs the a5100.

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Q and a5100 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out technical specs. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and a5100.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Q featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony a5100 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged Q will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
Sony a5100 Portrait photography highlights
45
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
72
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (180 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
82
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
provides focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography features
Sony a5100 Sports photography features
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
68
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (400 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Travel photography camera
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (230 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
80
better than average battery (400 shots)
provides focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging info
Sony a5100 Vlogging info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
34
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic port
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Pentax Q vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony a5100
 Pentax QSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q Sony Alpha a5100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2014-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 179
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000s -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lb) 283 grams (0.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 80
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 12.7
DXO Low light score 189 1347
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 400 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $695 $448