The Pentax Q has a 12.4 megapixel 1/2.3 inch sensor that is smaller than other mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras. This helps make the Pentax Q the smallest and lightest mirrorless interchangeable lens digital camera.
The compact size makes the Pentax Q convenient for travelers, or anybody else needing an easy to carry quality digital camera. The Pentax Q takes quality still digital photos as well as HD video.
The small size makes the Pentax unobtrusive and does not have the intimidating factor DSLR may have for some people. This make sit suitable for candid street photography or photojournalism in situations where a larger camera marks the photographer as a target.
DxOMark Digital Camera Tests
In the DxOMark tests shown below the article the Pentax Q achieved an overall score of 47 nearly as good as the Olympus EP3 and Nikon J1. In most categories the Pentax Q is their equal or better, except for the DxOMark sports category. This is based on the amount of digital image noise produced over the camera’s whole ISO range.
The Pentax Q has more image noise, particularly at the higher ISO settings likely to be used in low light conditions. This is a product of the Pentax Q’s much smaller digital sensor than the Nikon J1 or Olympus E3P3. The surprise is not that the Pentax Q has more noise, it is the small difference, particularly at the lower ISO levels that are most commonly used.
Comparing the Pentax Q to a top performing compact digital camera, the Nikon P7100, the Pentax Q has a clear performance margin with a DxOMark score of 47 to the Nikon P7100’s 41. These results suggest the Pentax Q has significantly better photo quality than ordinary compact digital cameras, including lower noise at higher ISO settings.
Lens Choice
The Pentax Q is available with two lens options. The basic lens is a 47mm equivalent, f1.9 prime lens. In the twin lens the second lens is general purpose zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to a 27.5 - 83.0mm lens in the 35mm format.
The lenses have their own use AF motor for smooth, quiet focusing operation. The lenses also have a shutter mechanism so when photographers use the PENTAX Q’s built-in flash it can synchronize with the camera’s top shutter speed of 1/2000 second.
There is also an extreme wide angle fish eye lens with 160degree field of view. Pentax has two “toy” lenses for the Q system, designed to produce subdued, nostalgic images as though the photos were taken with a traditional toy camera.
Exposure and Processing
The Pentax Q has a wide range of automatic exposure modes as well as the semi automatic and manual modes for serious photography. This gives photographers the choice of taking control of exposure or relaxing and letting the camera make the exposure decisions.
The Pentax Q saves digital photos in Adobe’s DNG format or JPEG. The Pentax Q offers a range of image processing tools in the camera for occasions when a computer is not available. This includes producing a processed JPEG copy of an original RAW file, leaving the RAW file untouched for later more serious processing.
Viewfinder
One of the disadvantages of the mirrorless systems is the lack the high quality optical viewfinder system of film and digital SLR cameras. The mirror is part of the viewfinder system on those cameras. One approach is to offer an accessory viewfinder that mounts on the camera’s hot shoe. This is the method adopted for the Pentax Q and the optional viewfinder costs about $US250 and is optimised for use with the 47mm equivalent prime lens.
Price
The standard Pentax Q kit is available for about $US800 and the twin lens kit is on sale for around $US1050.
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