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Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the Q (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Q was launched 13 months before the HX20V making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the Q scores vs the HX20V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony HX20V

 Q HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax Q

 HX20V Q 
LaunchedJuly 2012June 2011Fresher by 13 months
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony HX20V

 Q HX20V 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q features external dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Look at the Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the Q vs the HX20V.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Q and HX20V is 93 and 90 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and HX20V.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older Q will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography info
Sony HX20V Portrait photography info
45
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
45
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (180g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography info
Sony HX20V Sports photography info
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q Landscape photography details
Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
50
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
34
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
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Pentax Q vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony HX20V
 Pentax QSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-06-23 2012-07-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 8 -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 gr (0.40 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 320 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $695 $397