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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q
  • Later Model is Pentax Q7
Sony A850
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A850

 Q10 A850 
RevealedSeptember 2012April 2010Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax Q10

 A850 Q10 
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A850

 Q10 A850 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 size comparison

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

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q10 Portrait photography information
Sony A850 Portrait photography information
48
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
72
you can focus manually
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (200g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography information
Sony A850 Sports photography information
36
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 Travel photography highlights
Sony A850 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than average (200g)
has built in flash
terrible battery (270 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
weather sealing
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q10
Landscape photography with Sony A850
54
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (270 per charge)
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
no liveview
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 Vlogging features
Sony A850 Vlogging features
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (200g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
9
no video
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony A850
 Pentax Q10Sony 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