Pentax Q Modes and Menus

Pentax Q Capture Modes

When powered on, the camera is automatically placed into Record mode. The Mode dial on top of the camera sets the main shooting mode, with the following options:

 Auto Picture mode: Recognized scene types include Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, and Forest.

 Scene mode: Options are: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR, Night Snap, Food, Quick Macro, Pet, Kids, Forest, Surf & Snow, HDR, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, and Museum.

 Blur Control mode: Attempts to simulate the shallow depth-of-field effect of a large-sensor camera. Three strength levels are offered.

 Program mode: Includes a Program Shift function to bias the overall exposure towards your desired shutter speed / aperture, if using a lens with built-in shutter. Can also be configured to switch to full Shutter-priority or Aperture-priority shooting, instead of using Program Shift. Green button resets to metered exposure. Toy and Fish-eye lenses, which lack a built-in shutter and have a fixed aperture, don't offer Program Shift or Priority shooting, but shutter speed can be biased by adjusting ISO sensitivity.

 Shutter Priority mode: Abbreviated as "Tv" for Time value. Shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 to 30 seconds if the attached lens has a built-in shutter. Toy and Fish-eye lenses lack this, and have a fixed aperture. For these lenses, shutter speeds are 1/8,000 to 30 seconds, and the shutter speed cannot be adjusted manually, but can be biased by adjusting ISO sensitivity.

 Aperture Priority mode: Abbreviated as "Av" for Aperture value. Toy and Fish-eye lenses have a fixed aperture.

 Manual mode: Includes Bulb mode, albeit limited to 32 seconds and ISO 1,600. Green button can reset shutter speed, aperture, or both to the metered value. Bulb mode isn't available when shooting with Toy or Fish-eye lenses, which have a fixed aperture, and the slowest shutter speed with these is limited to two seconds.

 Movie mode: Allows either Program or Manual exposure, and both Custom Image and Digital Filter functions are available for video shooting. Shutter speed range is 1/30 to 1/8,000 second, and the lens aperture is fixed with Toy or Fish-eye lenses.

 

Playback Mode

The Playback button on the top panel accesses Playback mode, where you can review captured images. The left and right arrow keys scroll forward and backward one image at a time, while the down key calls up the Playback Mode palette, from which you can edit and develop images, view side-by-side comparisons, etc. By rolling the E-dial to the right, you can enlarge captured images, while rolling it to the left displays them first in index format, then grouped by folder. You can select the number of thumbnails to display in the index, or alternatively, select a calendar view.

 

Pentax Q Menu Details

Pressing the Menu button provides access to the camera's full menu system. The following options are available in most camera modes as menu tabs at the top of the display:

Record Menu 1:

Record Menu Options: Screen 1
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Custom Image
- Bright
- Natural
- Portrait
- Landscape
- Vibrant
- Radiant
- Muted
- Bleach bypass
- Reversal film
- Monochrome
- Saturation
- Hue
- Filter effect
- Toning
- High / low key adjustment
- Contrast
- Sharpness
- Fine sharpness
- Filter effect
- Toning
Toning replaces hue for Muted, Bleach Bypass, and Monochrome modes, not available for others. Also, Filter effect replaces Saturation for Monochrome. Reversal film offers only Sharpness or Fine sharpness adjustments. You can't manually control cross processing settings, but you can copy them from an existing image in playback mode and save as a Favorite for later reuse.
|- Cross processing
- Random
- Preset 1
- Preset 2
- Preset 3
- Favorite 1
- Favorite 2
- Favorite 3
Digital Filter
- Off
Not available unless shooting still images in JPEG-only mode.
- Toy camera
- Shading level (three levels)
- Blur (three levels)
- Tone break (Red, green, blue, yellow)
- High contrast
- Strength (five levels)
- Shading
- Shading type (six types)
- Off, three levels of black vignette, three levels of white vignette
- Slim
- Off, eight levels of vertical stretch, eight levels of horizontal stretch
- HDR
- Strength (three levels)
- Invert color
- Off
- On
- Extract color
- Extracted color 1 (red, magenta, blue, cyan, green, yellow)
- Extractable range of color 1 (five levels)
- Extracted color 2 (off, red, magenta, blue, cyan, green, yellow)
- Extractable range of color 2 (five levels)
- Color
- Color (red, magenta, blue, cyan, green, yellow)
- Color density (three levels)
- Water color
- Intensity (three levels)
- Saturation (off or three levels)
- Posterization
- Strength (five levels)
- Fish-eye
- Strength (three levels)
Image Capture Settings
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- 3:2
- 4:3
- 1:1
Resolution options shown for JPEG recorded pixels apply only in 4:3 aspect ratio; there are four choices for all aspect ratios. Raw files are always recorded at 4,000 x 3,000 pixels.
- File format
- JPEG
- RAW
- RAW+
- JPEG recorded pixels
- 12M (4,000 x 3,000)
- 9M (3,456 x 2,592)
- 5M (2,688 x 2,016)
- 3M (1,920 x 1,440)
- JPEG quality
- *** (Best)
- ** (Better)
- * (Good)
- Color space
- sRGB
- Adobe RGB
Focus Settings
- Focus method
- AF
- MF
- Autofocus method
- Face detection
- Tracking
- AF select (25 points)
- Select
- Spot
- MF assist
- Off
- x2
- x4
AE Metering
- Multi-segment (16-zone)
- Center-weighted
- Spot
 
Multi-segment metering can optionally be linked to the AF system through the Custom menu.
ND filter
- ND on
- ND off
 
Some Q-mount lenses have a built-in two-stop ND filter. At launch, this applies only to the 01 Standard Prime and 02 Standard Zoom.

 

Record Menu 2:

Record Menu Options: Screen 2
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
HDR Capture
- HDR Off
- HDR Auto
- HDR 1
- HDR 2
Captures three frames (metered exposure, -3EV, +3EV) and combines them in-camera into one HDR image.
Multi-exposure
- Start shooting
Auto EV adjustment selects whether multi-exposures are additive (Off), or averaged (On).
- Number of shots
- 2 to 9
- Auto EV adjustment
- Off
- On
Interval Shooting
- Start shooting

- Interval
- 1s to 24 hrs
- Number of shots
- 2 to 999 shots
- Start
- Now
- Set Time
- Start Time
- 00:00 to 23:59
D-Range Setting
- Highlight correction
- Shadow correction
- Auto
- On
- Off
High ISO NR
- Auto
- Low
- High
Auto varies level with ISO sensitivity. High ISO NR cannot be disabled.
Distortion Correction
- Off
- On
Corrects geometric distortion caused by lens. Applied in-camera to JPEGs, and tagged to RAW files. Not available for Toy or Fish-eye lenses.

 

Record Menu 3:

Record Menu Options: Screen 3
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Quick Dial
- Smart effect
- Custom image
- Digital filter
- Aspect ratio
- Position 1
- Position 2
- Position 3
- Position 4
Up to four options can be assigned to the Quick dial, but they must all be from the same category. Smart Effect options aren't accessible elsewhere in the menu system, although some are similar to Digital Filters. They include Brilliant Color, Unicolor Bold, Vintage Color, Cross Processing, Warm Fade, Tone Expansion, Bold Monochrome, Water Color, Vibrant Color Enhance, and User 1 to 3.
Green Button
- Green button
- Action in M mode
- E-dial in Program
- Preview
- One push file format
- Cancel after 1 shot
- JPEG →
- RAW →
- Raw+ →
- AE lock
- Enable AF
LCD View Options
- Show Grid
- Off
- 3 x 3 grid
- 2 x 2 grid + diagonals
- Horizontal / vertical scale
- Histogram
- On
- Off
- Bright/Dark Area
Instant Review
- Display Time
- 1 sec.
- 3 sec.
- 5 sec.
- Off
- Enlarge Instant Review
- On
- Off
- Histogram
- On
- Off
- Bright / Dark Area
- On
- Off
Memory
- Flash mode
- Drive mode
- White balance
- Custom image
- Sensitivity
- EV compensation
- Flash exposure compensation
- Focus position
- Digital filter
- HDR capture
- Playback info display
- File no.
- On
- Off
Allows you to select what settings are saved when you turn the camera off.
Shake Reduction
- On
- Off

 

Movie Menu:

Movie Menu Options
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Recorded Pixels
- Full HD
- HD
- VGA
Sound
- On
- Off
Exposure Setting
- Auto
- Manual
Movie SR
- On
- Off
- Auto
- Fixed
 
Interval Movie
- Start shooting

Recording time options depend on interval setting

- Interval
- 1s
- 5s
- 10s
- 30s
- 1m
- 5m
- 10m
- 30m
- 1h
- Recording time
- 5m to 99h
- Start interval
- Now
- Set Time
- Start time
- 00:00 to 23:59

 

Playback Menu:

Playback Menu Options
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Slideshow
- Start
- Interval
- 3 sec
- 5 sec
- 10 sec
- 30 sec
- Screen effect
- Off
- Fade
- Wipe
- Shrink
- Repeat playback
- Off
- On
Quick Zoom
- Off
- x2
- x4
- x8
- x16
Sets initial magnification when enlarging images
Bright / Dark Area
- Off
- On
Over/underexposed areas flash on playback
Delete All Images
- Delete all images
- Cancel

 

Setup Menu 1:

Setup Menu Options: Screen 1
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Language
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Italian
- Dutch
- Danish
- Swedish
- Finnish
- Polish
- Czech
- Hungarian
- Turkish
- Greek
- Russian
- Korean
- Chinese (traditional)
- Chinese (simplified)
- Japanese
Date Adjustment
- Date format
- mm/dd/yy
- dd/mm/yy
- yy/mm/dd
- 12h
- 24h
- Date
- Set date
- Time
- Set time
World Time
- Setting the time

- Home
- Away

- Destination
- Hometown

North America
- Honolulu
- Anchorage
- Vancouver
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Calgary
- Denver
- Chicago
- Miami
- Toronto
- New York
- Halifax

South America
- Mexico City
- Lima
- Santiago
- Caracas
- Buenos Aires
- Sao Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro

Europe
- Lisbon
- Madrid
- London
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome
- Copenhagen
- Berlin
- Prague
- Stockholm
- Budapest
- Warsaw
- Athens
- Helsinki
- Moscow

Middle East / Africa
- Dakar
- Algiers
- Johannesburg
- Istanbul
- Cairo
- Jerusalem
- Nairobi
- Jeddah
- Tehran
- Dubai
- Karachi
- Kabul
- Male
- Delhi
- Colombo
- Kathmandu
- Dacca

Asia
- Yangon
- Bangkok
- Kuala Lumpur
- Vientiane
- Singapore
- Phnom Penh
- Ho chi Minh
- Jakarta
- Hong Kong
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Manila
- Taipei
- Seoul
- Tokyo
- Guam

Oceania
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Noumea
- Wellington
- Auckland
- Pago Pago

DST
- On
- Off

Sound Effects
-Volume
- Disabled
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Sets whether the camera beeps or not by category, and adjusts the overall volume.
- In-focus
- AE-L
- Self-timer
- Remote Control
- One push file format
- Shutter sound
- On
- Off
Guide Display
- 3 sec
- 10 sec
- 30 sec
- Off
Activates display guides on LCD when the exposure mode is changed or camera is switched on for set amount of time
LCD Display Settings
- Brightness level
- +/- 3 steps
- Blue-Amber
- Green-Magenta
- +/- 7 steps
Flicker Reduction
- 50 Hz
- 60 Hz

 

 

Setup Menu 2:

Setup Menu Options: Screen 2
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Video Out
- NTSC
- PAL
 
HDMI Out
- Auto
- 1080i
- 720p
- 480p
 
USB Connection
- MSC
- PTP
 
Mass Storage Class or Picture Transfer Protocol
Folder Name
- Date
- PENTX
"Date" names files xxx_MMDD

"PENTX" sets file naming in form of xxxPENTX, sequentially from 100 to 999
Create New Folder
- Create folder
- Cancel

 

Power Saving
- Off
- On
 
Dims the display automatically after ten seconds of inactivity
Auto Power Off
- 1 min
- 3 min
- 5 min
- Off
 

 

Setup Menu 3:

Setup Menu Options: Screen 3
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
Reset
- Reset
- Cancel
Doesn't apply to Custom Settings menu
Pixel Mapping
- Pixel mapping
- Cancel
Dust Removal
- Dust removal
- Start-up action
- Shut-down action

- Off
- On

Format
- Format
- Cancel
Firmware Version Info
- Camera firmware
Updates the camera firmware

- Start
- Cancel

- Lens firmware
Updates the lens firmware

- Start
- Cancel

 

Custom Menu 1:

Custom Menu Options: Screen 1
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
1. AE-L with AF locked
- 1: On
- 2: Off
 
2. Link AE to AF Point
- 1: Off
- 2: On
 
"On" links the AE and AF points during multi-segment metering
3. Auto Bracketing order
- 1: 0 - +
- 2: - 0 +
- 3: + 0 -
- 4: 0 + -
Zero is the metered shot, '-' is underexposed, and '+' is overexposed.
4. Shake Reduction Options
- 1: Mode1
- 2: Mode2
Mode 1 stabilizes only during exposure. Mode 2 stabilizes when shutter button is half-pressed.
5. WB when using Flash
- 1: Auto white balance
- 2: Unchanged
- 3: Flash
 
6. AWB in Tungsten Light
- 1: Subtle correction
- 2: Strong correction
7. AF Release Options
- 1: Focus-priority
- 2: Release-priority
Determines whether a focus lock is required before the shutter can be released.

 

Custom Menu 2:

Custom Menu Options: Screen 2
Top-Level
Selection
Second-Level
Third-Level
Notes
8. AF Assist Light
- 1: On
- 2: Off
9. AF with Remote Control
- 1: Off
- 2: On
 
If on, performs an autofocus operation when the remote control is used to trigger the shutter release.
10. Flash When Retracted
- 1: Discharge flash
- 2: Do not discharge flash
If set to 1, the built-in flash can fire even in the retracted position.
11. Release While Charging
- 1: Off
- 2: On

 

"On" allows shutter release while flash is charging. The flash may fire at reduced strength, or not at all.
12. Save Menu Location
- 1: Reset menu location
- 2: Save menu location
 
When set to 1, the first press of the Menu button always brings up the first tab of the Record menu. When set to 2, the Pentax Q remembers which menu tab was last accessed, and starts from the top of this tab when the Menu button is first pressed.
13. Electronic Shutter
- 1: Disable
- 2: Enable
 
Ignored when using a lens without a physical shutter, such as the Fish-eye or Toy lenses.
Reset Custom Functions
- Reset
- Cancel
 

Resets all Custom Functions to default.


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