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.Pentax Q small-sensor mirrorless camera announced and previewed , it was the world's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens digital camera.Pentax Q - 180 g; Nikon J1 - 234 g; Olympus E-PM1 - 265 g 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). The Q system is now discontinued.

Characteristics The Pentax Q and Q10 sensors have a crop factor of 5.53× while the Pentax Q7 and Q-s1 have a crop factor of 4.65×. 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. A Pentax adapter with a synchronized shutter for Pentax K-mount lenses was released in October 2012.

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. Most features and specifications were unchanged.

Pentax Q7

The Q7 was announced in June 2013 and has a larger 1/1.7" sensor. 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 ShutterFilter Diameter Year Pentax 01 Standard Prime AF/MF, single-focal 8.5 mm 47 mm 39 mm 1.9 8 yes40.5mm 2011 Pentax 02 Standard Zoom AF/MF, varifocal 5–15 mm 27.5–83 mm 23–69 mm 2.8-4.5 8 yes40.5mm 2011 Pentax 03 Fisheye MF, single-focal 3.2 mm 17.5 mm 16.5 mm 5.6 5.6 non/a 2011 Pentax 04 Toy Lens Wide MF, single-focal 6.3 mm 35 mm 33 mm 7.1 7.1 non/a 2011 Pentax 05 Toy Lens Telephoto MF, single-focal 18 mm 100 mm 94 mm 8 8 non/a 2011 Pentax 06 Telephoto Zoom AF/MF, varifocal 15–45 mm 83–249 mm 69–207 mm 2.8 8.0 yes40.5mm 2012 Pentax 07 Mount Shield Lens Fixed focus, single focal 11.5 mm 63.5 mm 53 mm 9 9 non/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 yes49.0mm 2013 Pentax Adapter Q for K-Mount Lens n/a*See below**Approx. 5.6 times the focal length of lensApprox. 4.5 times the focal length of lensSee below***See below**** yesSee 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 Pentax Auto 110 List of Pentax products List of smallest mirrorless cameras

References

External links

Pentax Q review at Pentax Forums