Pentax Q7 vs Pentax Q10 vs Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q
How many of us remember Pentax's Q series mirrorless cameras with the Q mount? This was one of the strangest attempts to enter the mirrorless camera market, and it was destined to fail from the start due to their 1/2.3-inch and 1/1.7-inch sensors, as well as their toy-like cameras and lenses.
Pentax Q-S1 Mirrorless with 5-15mm Lens in Pure White and Canary Yellow
Pentax has released 4 cameras and 8 lenses for the Q mount. The first camera that was released was the Pentax Q in June 2011, and the last camera was the Pentax Q-S1 that was released in August 2014.
Pentax Q Dimensions
To understand the size of the Q series cameras, I prepared this real-life scaled size comparison of the Q-S1 with one of the current smaller mirrorless cameras, the Sony a6700:
Sony A6700 vs Pentax Q-S1 Front View Size Comparison
Below is a specs and feature comparison of these four cameras, followed by the list of 8 native Q mount lenses.
| FEATURE and SPECS COMPARISON | |  |  |  |  |
| Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Pentax Q | Pentax Q10 | Pentax Q7 |
| Sensor Resolution | 12.0 MP | 12.0 MP | 12.0 MP | 12.0 MP |
| Announced Date | 2014-08-04 | 2011-06-23 | 2012-09-10 | 2013-08-08 |
| Camera Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.7 | 1/2.3-inch | 1/2.3-inch | 1/1.7-inch |
| Sensor Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 12800 | ISO 125 - 6400 | ISO 100 - 6400 | ISO 100 - 12800 |
| Lens Mount | Pentax Q | Pentax Q | Pentax Q | Pentax Q |
| Flash Range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 5.60 m | 7.00 m | 4.90 m (ISO100/m) |
| Image Stabil. | Sensor-shift | Sensor-shift | Sensor-shift | Sensor-shift |
| Weight | 203g | 180g | 200g | 200g |
| Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm | 98 x 57 x 31mm | 102 x 58 x 34mm | 102 x 58 x 34mm |
| Minimum Shutter | 30 sec | 30 sec | 30 sec | 30 sec |
| Maximum Shutter | 1/8000sec | 1/2000sec | 1/8000sec | 1/2000sec |
| Continuous Drive | 5.0fps | 2.0fps | 5.0fps | 5.0fps |
| Built-in Flash | | | | |
| Max Video Reso | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Video fps at Max | 30,25,24 | 30 | 30 | 30,25,24 |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Battery Life | 250 | 230 | 270 | 250 |
| Battery Model | D-LI68 | D-LI68 | D-LI68 | D-LI68 |
| Timelapse | | | | |
| Screen Type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed |
| LCD Size | 3.00" | 3.00" | 3.00" | 3.00" |
| Screen dots | 460000 | 460000 | 460000 | 460000 |
| Viewfinder Type | None | None | Optical (optional) | Optical (optional) |
| Price | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo |
I think the best thing about the Q series was the variety of color combinations available for the cameras. I wish more manufacturers offered a wider range of color options for their cameras. The Q series cameras and lenses can still be found used on eBay and Amazon.
Pentax Q10 in Various Colors
Popular Pentax Q Mount Lenses for Pentax Q-S1
