Q over quality compact?
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-q/
Alan
PPG
Flickr

However, depending on what you want to do, Pentax also offer the X-5 bridge camera and soon the MX-1 quality compact. Don't forget the WG-2 either, wihich definitely extends the repertoire.
As for other makes, they don't have that Pentax colour. To delve into those marques though you need to browse ePHOTOzine and similar sites that are not brand-specific. It's not that we're biased here, it's just that other makes are outside out remit.
Best regards, John

X-5 is too big - I want something that can go in a shirt or jacket pocket. The MX-1 looks nice, but might not be out in time (going in early March and want some time to get used to it).

I had a leica compact but the Q pictures are much better! Sold the leica to a happy local.
Most of the recent pictures on my portfolio are taken with the Q if you want to see.
In fact I use the Q most of the time for security reasons as some areas here are not safe to be carrying a DSLR around.
At the current price it's a 'steal'
Regards,
Michael
My new website:link

I bought the Q on offer from SRS at 200 pounds (no pound symbol on my tanzanian laptop) for my trip out here and I'm very impressed with the IQ, much better than I expected.
I had a leica compact but the Q pictures are much better! Sold the leica to a happy local.
Most of the recent pictures on my portfolio are taken with the Q if you want to see.
In fact I use the Q most of the time for security reasons as some areas here are not safe to be carrying a DSLR around.
At the current price it's a 'steal'
Thanks Michael
Presumably you are in Tanzania now unless Wales has degenerated a lot since I last visited

That's one of the places we are going plus Mozambique, Lesotho and South Africa. It's not that the locals are inherently more prone to theft, there are plenty of places in the UK that aren't that safe, it's more that I simply don't feel comfortable waving £600 worth of DSLR and lens around when so many people are so poor. It was particularly noticeable in Myanmar (Burma) last year.
I think it's basically a choice between the Q (and some spare cash), the Sony RX100 or the Panasonic LX7. Not easy.
The Ricoh top end compacts seem to get similarly good feedback as small cameras that enthusiasts enjoy, but I'd be surprised if they offered the bang for the buck that the Q offers at current prices (Blythman is right to point out that reviews tended to be negative because they were reviewing a £600 camera - which, nice as it is, the Q isn't). You can pick up the body plus the 01 prime and 02 zoom for around £300 now, which is a bargain IMO (the zoom represents the only serious wide angle option at the moment and is optically decent if a bit slow for me (f2.8-4.5); the 01 is sharp and fast - though f1.4 would have been even nicer - and its tiny size makes it the ideal companion for the Q).
I anticipate I'll be using the Q much more than I expected. It is such an enjoyable and intuitive camera to use. Given what the Pentax engineers managed to come up with in such a small package, it makes you wonder what on earth they were thinking of with the K-01?


@ Michael Blue - are you based in Tanzania? If so, where?
Mhuni
500px

I used to live in Dar es Salaam. Never got as far as Mtwara (only to Lindi and then turned right to Nyasa!). It's a beautiful part of the world. I always fancied the crossing to Mozambique near you, which was marked on my map as 'By canoe'

Mhuni
500px
Where can you get the Q plus both lenses for £300? I too am a prospective purchaser.
Dave

Mhuni
500px

Can't find any reviews of the 15-45mm yet - it would be nice to have.
milamber
Member
Norfolk
I want to get, or replace the DSLR with, something small and compact, preferably pocket sized and had another look at the Q today. It certainly fits the size requirements, but so do a variety of offerings from Sony, Fuji and Panasonic.
Pentax bias aside why would the Q be a better bet? Reviews aren't generally very good, but user reviews on here are almost universally excellent. This might also mean that some of the competition is better than reviews suggest! Very tempted at the current £199 price, but happy to pay up to £500 or so for the right camera so price isn't the only issue.