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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
56
Overall
43
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
68
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 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
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Updated by Pentax Q7
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A900
  • Later Model is Sony A99 II
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the Q10 (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the Q10 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The Q10 was revealed 3 months before the A99 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the Q10 scores versus the A99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A99

 Q10 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax Q10

 A99 Q10 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k460kSharper screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A99

 Q10 A99 
LaunchedSeptember 2012December 2012Similar age
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax Q10 enjoys outside dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony A99 has sizing of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the Q10 vs the A99.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q10 and A99 is 92 and 57 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q10 and A99.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Q10 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A99 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q10 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 Portrait photography information
47
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography advice
Sony A99 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (200 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
75
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery life (500 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q10
Travel photography with Sony A99
59
lighter than competitors in class (200g)
has built in flash
not so great battery (270 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (270 shots)
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
low battery life (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q10
Vlogging with Sony A99
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (200g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony A99
 Pentax Q10Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q10 Sony SLT-A99
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-09-10 2012-12-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 8 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs 1/250 secs
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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 200g (0.44 lbs) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 89
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.9 14.0
DXO Low light rating 183 1555
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 500 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots One 2
Launch price $350 $1,998