Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30
92 Imaging
36 Features
56 Overall
44


91 Imaging
45 Features
37 Overall
41
Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
- 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
- Announced September 2014

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the Q10 (12MP) and QX30 (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The Q10 was introduced 24 months earlier than the QX30 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the Q10 matches up against the QX30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Q10 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax Q10 Gallery & Sony QX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony QX30
Q10 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 0k | Sharper screen (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax Q10
QX30 | Q10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2014 | ![]() | September 2012 | More modern by 24 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony QX30
Q10 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q10 has outer 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 QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).
Compare the Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the Q10 and the QX30.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Q10 and QX30 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The pic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q10 and QX30.
To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony QX30 to resolve more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged Q10 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Specifications
Pentax Q10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Q10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Lens-style |
Launched | 2012-09-10 | 2014-09-03 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax Q | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.5-6.3 |
Total lenses | 8 | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | - |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 0k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | None |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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 (60p, 30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 200 gr (0.44 lbs) | 193 gr (0.43 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 49 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 183 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 270 images | 200 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI68 | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $350 | $348 |