• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax Q advantages over Sony QX100

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 55 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony QX100 advantages over Pentax Q

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony QX100
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Review Excerpt

  • The first genuinely compact--almost pocket-friendly--compact system camera, paired with equally small, interchangeable lenses. Great ergonomics for the size, and it feels like a real camera, not a computer with a lens.

  • Very restrictive lens selection at launch. All but two current lenses have severe limitations in functionality. Performance is sluggish, and image quality trails large-sensor cameras by some distance.

  • Read our Pentax Q Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q10

Pentax Q
Pentax Q10
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q10

Sony QX100
Pentax Q10
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony QX100 vs Pentax Q10

Compared to Nikon P330

Pentax Q
Nikon P330
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bulb shutter
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax Q vs Nikon P330

Sony QX100
Nikon P330
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX100 vs Nikon P330

Compared to Pentax Q7

Pentax Q
Pentax Q7
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q7

Sony QX100
Pentax Q7
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony QX100 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Nikon P340

Pentax Q
Nikon P340
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bulb shutter
  • $347
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax Q vs Nikon P340

Sony QX100
Nikon P340
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $347
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX100 vs Nikon P340

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q
Pentax Q-S1
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q-S1

Sony QX100
Pentax Q-S1
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony QX100 vs Pentax Q-S1

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