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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
56
Overall
43
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
76
Overall
64

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q7
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the Q10 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the Q10 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The Q10 was revealed very close to the NEX-5R so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the Q10 grades against the NEX-5R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony NEX-5R

 Q10 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Pentax Q10

 NEX-5R Q10 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony NEX-5R

 Q10 NEX-5R 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012August 2012Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax Q10 has physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the Q10 against the NEX-5R.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q10 and NEX-5R is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The visual here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q10 and NEX-5R.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q10 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5R will result in more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q10 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
80
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography highlights
36
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
68
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q10
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
59
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (270 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
has touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography factors
54
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (270 shots)
75
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (200g)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
31
built-in touchscreen
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony NEX-5R
 Pentax Q10Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q10 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-09-10 2012-08-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 99
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Number of lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 secs 1/160 secs
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 200 grams (0.44 lb) 276 grams (0.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.9 13.1
DXO Low light rating 183 910
Other
Battery life 270 shots 330 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $750