Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850
92 Imaging
36 Features
56 Overall
44


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Revealed April 2010

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Overview
Here is a thorough comparison of the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the Q10 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the Q10 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor measurements.

The Q10 was introduced 2 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the Q10 grades vs the A850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Q10 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax Q10 Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A850
Q10 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2012 | ![]() | April 2010 | Fresher by 30 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax Q10
A850 | Q10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A850
Q10 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q10 provides outside 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) whilst the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Compare the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the Q10 against the A850.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q10 and A850 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The photograph below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Q10 and A850.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Q10 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A850 will show more detail using its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer Q10 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Pentax Q10 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Q10 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-09-10 | 2010-04-15 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 25MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6048 x 4032 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 8 | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/2000 secs | 1/250 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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 200 gr (0.44 lb) | 895 gr (1.97 lb) |
Dimensions | 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 49 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.9 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 183 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 270 photographs | 880 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI68 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Cost at launch | $350 | $0 |