Clicky

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha a6400 front
Portability
83
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 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
  • Released June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
Sony A6400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 403g - 120 x 67 x 50mm
  • Launched January 2019
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Pentax Q vs Sony A6400, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and A6400 (24MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and A6400 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The Q was unveiled 8 years before the A6400 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the Q grades vs the A6400 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A6400

 Q A6400 

Reasons to pick Sony A6400 over the Pentax Q

 A6400 Q 
LaunchedJanuary 2019June 2011Fresher by 92 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A6400

 Q A6400 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax Q features physical dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony A6400 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") and a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the Q versus the A6400.

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Q and A6400 is 93 and 83 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Q and A6400.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Q using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A6400 will offer you greater detail having an extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The older Q is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography details
Sony A6400 Portrait photography details
45
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
81
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q
Street photography with Sony A6400
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
81
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (32,000)
does not have image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography details
Sony A6400 Sports photography details
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q
Travel photography with Sony A6400
57
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
87
weather proof
supports bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A6400 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
80
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging details
Sony A6400 Vlogging details
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
80
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic port
does not have image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax Q vs Sony A6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony A6400
 Pentax QSony Alpha a6400
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Alpha a6400
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2011-06-23 2019-01-15
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 surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 425
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lbs) 403 grams (0.89 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 83
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 13.6
DXO Low light rating 189 1431
Other
Battery life 230 photos 410 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $695 $898