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Pentax Q Compact System Cameras

4/5 (1 Reviews)

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Product Description

The first mirrorless, compact system camera from Pentax, the Pentax Q uses a 12-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and is currently (June 2011) the smallest interchangeable lens digital camera on the market. Besides stills, the Pentax Q can also capture 720p HD video. It captures DNG RAW as well as JPEG image files, can shoot up to ISO 6400 and shoot bursts at 5 frames-per-second.


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User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by quantman a Expert

Date Reviewed: March 23, 2013

Strengths:    -Good value now that the price dropped by 2/3.
-Both the 02 and 06 zoom lenses are sharp, surprisingly so.
-Small.
-Amazing telephoto capabilities with the 5.6 crop ratio.

Weaknesses:    -Bokeh. The sensor is so small that unless you are very close most of the photo will be sharp.
-The in-camera blur option is OK, but doesn't substitute for creamy bokeh.
-No viewfinder. Using the screen makes it tough to focus a manual lens (if using one) in daylight.
-The fish-eye is more of a "toy" lens.

Bottom Line:   
This camera is supposedly very popular in Japan but not so much here due to the cost, and reviews that compare the cost to the benefit. Those reviews are no longer valid now that the price of the camera has dropped by so much (below $250 with lens). This is not a DSLR and the smaller sensor won't provide the same quality shots. It is small--tiny actually--and will provide great screen shots and very good to excellent quality for anything smaller than an 8 x 10. The small sensor has a big disadvantage: Little bokeh (if you want it). The small sensor has a huge advantage: a 5.6 crop ratio. This means you can stick a 100mm portrait lens on it with an adapter and get an 35mm equivalent of a 560mm lens! A 300mm lens will give you an 1,680 35mm equivalent! You can actually get a better IQ with a long distance shot using the Q as opposed to using a DSLR, assuming you don't have access to quality super-telephoto lenses for a DSLR. Obviously, a tripod is mandatory when using a screen to focus manually at these crazy equivalents. All the other features makes the Q fun to use for a photographer that doesn't just want to shoot in the green mode.
The 02 lens is reviewed in detail by photozone.de, and I have nothing to add except that the 06 lens is similar in relative performance regarding sharpness (based upon my eye and not a lab test). The build quality seems to be exactly the same. The lenses are very light. They are also well built and should not have any issues over time. The manual focused fish-eye is cheap at around $100. It is an odd lens, sharp when focusing at a close object but having mediocre IQ when shooting at distance. I'll likely sell mine since at 5mm the automatic zoom is very sharp and gives a great wide angle IQ with a 35mm equivalent of 28mm. One negative is the distortion, which can be large shooting at wide angles with the Q's small sensor.
In summary, this is a fun camera that pushes the small size idea to the limit. It is what it is, with IQ limited by the sensor. For those times when I simply want to take along an easy to carry camera for those non-poster quality photos or screen shots, this fits the bill. For example, it is so light I almost forgot I had it with me during a recent cross-country ski outing. Being able to change lenses gave me better shots than my friends.

Note: Purchase price included the 02 lens.

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Price Paid:    $240.00

Purchased At:   Amazon

Similar Products Used:   No similar products exist.

Type of photography:   Other


Reviews 1 - 1 (1 Reviews Total)

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  • Battery TypeRechargeable Li-Ion Battery
    Built-in MicrophoneWith Built-in Microphone
    Camera Resolution12.4 Megapixel
    Camera TypeSLR/Professional
    Compression ModesUncompressed
    Compression TypeJPEG
    Depth1.22 in.
    Digital ZoomWithout Digital Zoom
    Family LinePentax Q
    FeaturesImage Stabilization
    File FormatJPEG, DNG RAW and MP4 video
    Flash FunctionsRed-eye Reduction Flash
    Flash TypeBuilt-In
    Focal Length5 - 15 mm
    Focus TypeAutofocus & Manual Focus
    Frames Per Second30 Frames
    HD Recording Format1080p (HDTV)
    Height2.26 in.
    Image Resolutions1920 x 1440
    Image Sensor TypeCMOS
    Included AccessoriesSoftware
    Interchangeable LensInterchangeable Lenses
    Interface TypeUSB 2.0
    ISO Speeds125
    LCD Monitor3-inch LCD display
    LCD Screen Size3 in.
    LensPentax Q-mount
    Max Resolution4000 x 3000 pixels
    Memory TypeSD Card
    Proofing FeaturesDust proof
    Release Date6/29/2011
    Resolution12.4 Megapixel
    Self Timer2 Sec.
    SensitivityISO 100 to 6400
    Sensor12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch backlit CMOS
    Shutter Speed1/8000 - 30 sec
    Storage MediaSD, SDHC, SDXC
    Tripod MountWith Tripod Mount
    Video FormatMPEG-4
    Video Resolutions1920 x 1080
    ViewfinderLCD-only
    Weight0.4 lb.
    White BalanceAuto
    Width3.86 in.

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