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Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V 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
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Old Model is Sony HX300
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Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Pentax Q and Sony HX400V, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and HX400V (20MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The Q was announced 3 years earlier than the HX400V which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera 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 HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the Q matches up vs the HX400V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony HX400V

 Q HX400V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Pentax Q

 HX400V Q 
ReleasedFebruary 2014June 2011More modern by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony HX400V

 Q HX400V 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q has physical 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 HX400V has dimensions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax Q and Sony HX400V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the Q and the HX400V.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Q and HX400V is 93 and 62 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and HX400V.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony HX400V to result in greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged Q will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q
Portrait photography with Sony HX400V
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
51
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography features
Sony HX400V Street photography features
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than others in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography advice
Sony HX400V Sports photography advice
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
Sony HX400V Travel photography highlights
57
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (230 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (660g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q
Vlogging with Sony HX400V
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (660 grams)
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Pentax Q vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony HX400V
 Pentax QSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-06-23 2014-02-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
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 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 8 -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
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), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lb) 660 grams (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 189 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 shots 300 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $695 $448