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Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Sony RX100
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 III
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Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The Q was brought out 24 months prior to the RX100 II which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Q matches up vs the RX100 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony RX100 II

 Q RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Pentax Q

 RX100 II Q 
LaunchedJune 2013June 2011More recent by 24 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony RX100 II

 Q RX100 II 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax Q comes with outer measurements 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 RX100 II has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the Q and the RX100 II.

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q and RX100 II is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and RX100 II.

Clearly, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Q featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony RX100 II will offer greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older Q is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
45
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
70
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q
Street photography with Sony RX100 II
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (180 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 II Sports photography highlights
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers tracking focus
good battery life (350 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Travel photography camera
57
lighter than others (180g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
80
good battery life (350 shots)
lighter than competition (281 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
Sony RX100 II Landscape photography factors
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
74
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (350 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 II Vlogging highlights
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
37
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (281g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
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Pentax Q vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony RX100 II
 Pentax QSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-06-23 2013-06-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
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 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 125 160
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 8 -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/2000s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lb) 281 grams (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 67
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.4
DXO Low light rating 189 483
Other
Battery life 230 images 350 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $695 $598