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Pentax Q vs Sony H20

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 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
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Launched May 2009
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Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Pentax Q versus Sony H20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Q was launched 2 years later than the H20 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the Q scores versus the H20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony H20

 Q H20 
LaunchedJune 2011May 2009More recent by 26 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Pentax Q

 H20 Q 

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony H20

 Q H20 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax Q features physical 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 Sony H20 has sizing of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax Q versus Sony H20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the Q compared to the H20.

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Q and H20 is 93 and 87 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The visual below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Q and H20.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax Q to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Q will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H20 as a Portrait photography camera
45
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography info
Sony H20 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (180 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography advice
Sony H20 Sports photography advice
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography information
Sony H20 Travel photography information
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery power (230 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
long zoom (380mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (250g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q
Landscape photography with Sony H20
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
36
focusing manually
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
Sony H20 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external microphone port
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
heavier than average in class (250g)
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Pentax Q vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony H20
 Pentax QSony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-06-23 2009-05-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens focal range - 38-380mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus distance - 2cm
Available lenses 8 -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 gr (0.40 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 189 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI68 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $695 $249