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Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Updated by Pentax Q7
Sony QX30
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony QX30

 Q10 QX30 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax Q10

 QX30 Q10 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014September 2012More modern by 24 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony QX30

 Q10 QX30 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

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

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q10
Portrait photography with Sony QX30
48
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
38
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography details
Sony QX30 Street photography details
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography advice
Sony QX30 Sports photography advice
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (270 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 Travel photography info
Sony QX30 Travel photography info
60
lighter than competitors (200g)
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (270 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
65
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q10
Landscape photography with Sony QX30
54
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (270 CIPA)
39
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen ( inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q10
Vlogging with Sony QX30
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (200g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony QX30
 Pentax Q10Sony 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