Clicky

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Replaced the Pentax Q
  • Successor is Pentax Q7
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A330
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q10 (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is pretty close but the Q10 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The Q10 was announced 4 years later than the A300 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the Q10 scores vs the A300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

				

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A300

 Q10 A300 
LaunchedSeptember 2012January 2008Fresher by 57 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax Q10

 A300 Q10 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A300

 Q10 A300 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax Q10 enjoys exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the Q10 versus the A300.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q10 and A300 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The photograph below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Q10 and A300.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q10 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax Q10 will render greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer Q10 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q10
Portrait photography with Sony A300
48
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q10
Street photography with Sony A300
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (200 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography information
Sony A300 Sports photography information
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 Travel photography advice
Sony A300 Travel photography advice
60
lighter than average (200 grams)
built-in flash
bad battery (270 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (270 shots)
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 Vlogging advice
Sony A300 Vlogging advice
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (200 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
9
no video
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony A300
 Pentax Q10Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-09-10 2008-01-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 8 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 200g (0.44 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 64
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.9 11.4
DXO Low light score 183 538
Other
Battery life 270 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $0