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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q7 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Pentax Q7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q10
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Pentax Q7 versus Sony A850, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q7 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the Q7 (1/1.7") and A850 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q7 was released 3 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the Q7 scores vs the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Sony A850

 Q7 A850 
RevealedAugust 2013April 2010More recent by 41 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax Q7

 A850 Q7 
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q7 and Sony A850

 Q7 A850 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q7 comes with physical 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) and the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Pentax Q7 versus Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the Q7 and the A850.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Q7 and A850 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Q7 and A850.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Q7 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A850 will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher Q7 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q7
Portrait photography with Sony A850
48
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
72
focusing manually
sensor resolution is great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q7 Street photography info
Sony A850 Street photography info
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (200g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q7
Sports photography with Sony A850
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q7 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competitors (200g)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (250 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
55
environment proof
sensor resolution is great (25MP)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q7 Landscape photography factors
Sony A850 Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
doesn't have liveview
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q7
Vlogging with Sony A850
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
9
no video shooting
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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q7 and Sony A850
 Pentax Q7Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q7 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-08-08 2010-04-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Full frame
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 8 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT color LCD monitor, wide angle viewing, AR coating TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (ISO100/m) no built-in flash
Flash settings P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions FullHD(1920x1080, 30fps/25fps/24fps), HD(1280x720,16:9,30fps/25fps/24fps), VGA(640x480,4:3,30fps/25fps/24fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
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 Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 250 photos 880 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (12 sec, 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC and Eye-Fi Card Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One Two
Launch cost $480 $0