Pentax Q series

Digital camera product line

The Pentax Q series is a series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras made by Pentax and introduced in 2011 with the initial model Pentax Q.[1] As of September 2012[update], it was the world's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens digital camera.[2] The first models used a 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) back-illuminated sensor CMOS image sensor. The Q7, introduced in June 2013, uses a larger 1/1.7" type sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm).[3] The Q system is now discontinued.[4]

Characteristics

The Pentax Q and Q10 sensors have a crop factor of 5.53×[5] while the Pentax Q7 and Q-s1 have a crop factor of 4.65×.[6] The original Pentax Q sensor has a 12.4 megapixels with 1.52 µm pixel pitch. All Pentax Q system cameras have a short flange focal distance (FFD) of 9.2mm. With a 5.53× crop factor, an adapted 100mm lens has the equivalent field of view (FOV) of a 553mm telephoto in the 35mm full-frame format. An additional implication of these relatively large crop factors is that depth of field (DOF) is proportionally increased relative to full-frame systems at the same equivalent focal length and aperture; this puts the Pentax Q system cameras at a distinct advantage when capturing as much as possible with acceptable focus is important.

Pentax Q system cameras do not have a mechanical shutter or neutral density filter in the camera body. Because of this, some lenses and adapters have a built-in mechanical leaf shutter and/or a built-in ND filter.

The short flange focal distance of the Pentax Q series enables lenses from many manufacturers to be adapted to it, including Olympus OM, Canon FD, Minolta, M42 screw mount, M39 Leica, C-Mount, D-Mount, Pentax K, and Pentax 6×7.[7] A Pentax adapter with a synchronized shutter for Pentax K-mount lenses was released in October 2012.[8]

The camera is equipped with "SR" sensor-shift image stabilization technology to improve image quality when using the camera without a tripod. It works with all native and adapted lenses. The Pentax Q also features a "blur control" mode to provide a pseudo shallow focus effect when desired.

Models

Pentax Q

The initial model was announced in June, 2011.

Pentax Q10

Announced in September, 2012, the Q10 has a slightly redesigned body and an improved sensor.[9] Most features and specifications were unchanged.

Pentax Q7

The Q7 was announced in June 2013 and has a larger 1/1.7" sensor.[10] It is available in a wide variety of colors.

Pentax Q-S1

The Q-S1 was announced August 4, 2014. It has a 1/1.7" sensor. In addition to the Q-7 features, it has auto focusing in the video mode (with the 01, 02 and 08 lenses.)

Lenses

Eight lenses have been released in the Pentax Q system. (AF = Auto Focus, MF = Manual Focus):

Mfg. Lens Type Focal Length 35mm Equiv (Q, Q10) 35mm Equiv (Q7, Q-S1) Max. Aperture Min. Aperture Leaf Shutter Filter Diameter Year
Pentax 01 Standard Prime AF/MF, single-focal 8.5 mm 47 mm 39 mm 1.9 8 yes 40.5mm 2011
Pentax 02 Standard Zoom AF/MF, varifocal 5–15 mm 27.5–83 mm 23–69 mm 2.8-4.5 8 yes 40.5mm 2011
Pentax 03 Fisheye MF, single-focal 3.2 mm 17.5 mm 16.5 mm 5.6 5.6 no n/a 2011
Pentax 04 Toy Lens Wide MF, single-focal 6.3 mm 35 mm 33 mm 7.1 7.1 no n/a 2011
Pentax 05 Toy Lens Telephoto MF, single-focal 18 mm 100 mm 94 mm 8 8 no n/a 2011
Pentax 06 Telephoto Zoom AF/MF, varifocal 15–45 mm 83–249 mm 69–207 mm 2.8 8.0 yes 40.5mm 2012
Pentax 07 Mount Shield Lens Fixed focus, single focal 11.5 mm 63.5 mm 53 mm 9 9 no n/a 2013
Pentax 08 Wide Zoom AF/MF, varifocal 3.8-5.9 mm 21–32.5 mm 17.5–27 mm 3.7 - 4 7.1 - 8 yes 49.0mm 2013
Pentax Adapter Q for K-Mount Lens n/a* See below** Approx. 5.6 times the

focal length of lens

Approx. 4.5 times the

focal length of lens

See below*** See below**** yes See below** 2012

Notes: *Any lenses adapted to the adapter will function in MF only. Whether it is single or varifocal depends on the optical characteristic of the lens.

**Although the adapter itself cannot have a focal length or filter diameter, the focal length/filter diameter for adapter/lens combination will depend on the lens attached.

***The maximum aperture depends on the lens aperture for most lenses. However, for larger-aperture lenses, since the adapter controls the aperture, the effective f-stop may increase or falloff may become more apparent.

****The minimum aperture depends on the adapter.

See also

  • v
  • t
  • e
Pentax digital interchangeable lens camera timeline
Type Sensor Class 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
DSLR MF Professional 645D 645Z
FF K-1 K-1 II
APS-C High-end K-3 II K-3 III
K-3
Advanced K-7 K-5 K-5 II / K-5 IIs
*ist D K10D K20D KP
Midrange K100D 100DS K200D K-30 K-50 K-70 KF
Entry-level *ist DS *ist DS2 K-r K-500 K-S2
*ist DL DL2 K110D K-m/K2000 K-x K-S1
MILC APS-C K-mount K-01
1/1.7" Q-mount Q7
Q-S1
1/2.3" Q Q10
DSLR Prototypes
Type Sensor Class
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

VIDEO: 720p / 1080p / 4K

References

  1. ^ Pentax Q small-sensor mirrorless camera announced and previewed
  2. ^ Pentax Q - 180 g; Nikon J1 - 234 g; Olympus E-PM1 - 265 g
  3. ^ "Pentax announces Q7 with larger 12MP BSI CMOS sensor". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Products | RICOH IMAGING".
  5. ^ "Pentax Q". DPReview. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  6. ^ "Pentax Q7 Review". DPReview. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  7. ^ "Lens Adapters | B&H Photo Video". Bhphotovideo.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  8. ^ "Pentax Adapter Q for K-mount Lenses". PhotographyBLOG. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  9. ^ "Pentax Ricoh introduces Q10 small-sensor mirrorless camera: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  10. ^ "Pentax announces Q7 with larger 12MP BSI CMOS sensor: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.

External links

  • Official website
  • Pentax Q review at Pentax Forums