• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax Q10 advantages over Canon S120

  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S120 advantages over Pentax Q10

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    246 vs 183 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q10

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q

Pentax Q10
Pentax Q
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon S120
Pentax Q
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bulb shutter

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Pentax Q10
Fujifilm XF1
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bulb shutter
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax Q7

Pentax Q10
Pentax Q7
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Pentax Q7
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Pentax Q10
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bulb shutter
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q10
Pentax Q-S1
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Pentax Q-S1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Hot shoe
Compare Other Cameras?