Q Reviews

Here's a quote from Pentax USA on Facebook that I thought was interesting:

I know it'sa bit off topic but I wander if the Pentax GPS will work on the Q, what do you think?

Interesting, but I'd be even more interested to see what they had to say about the IQ.

Had to search Google but found that IQ was not Intelligence Quotient but Image Quality!!!!!

Obvious now I know!!!!

Cheeers....John

And another article, with comments from readers:

http://www.wildsnow.com/5605/outdoor-retailer-more-gear/

I am looking at a back up to my K5 for a short trip to Australia in November (since I recently sold my K7). The Q is one camera I was looking at (along with the Kr, K100 Super, K10D, Nex C3 and as yet unreleased Nex 7).

However TBH the C3 blows it out of the water, smaller, same sensor as the K5 so better noise levels at high ISO, 16 MPs and adapters for almost every lens from Leica & Zeiss to Nikon, Canon & M42 and if that is not enough then it has a Peaking Function (see description from DPR below) that is brilliant for the lenses fitted via adapters that will become MF lenses of course. DxO gives it a DR just below that of the Kr (12.2, 12.4 Kr and 14.1 K5), high ISO noise close to the K5 (1083, 755 Kr, 1162 K5) and great colour depth (22.7, 22.9 Kr and 23.7 K5). All at ca. US$300 below the price of the Q / Kr.

The new Nex 7 will be even further ahead with the 24 MP sensor etc. etc. The Q has a long way to go to even get on the same page (at that price) - and it needs adaptors like yesterday.

Peaking function. One of the more valuable features for the enthusiasts likely to be attracted to the Sony NEX-C3 is the Peaking function, where the sharpest, high-contrast areas of the frame appear colorized, indicating the band or area of sharpest focus. You can choose among red, yellow, and white colors, and the range of focused areas that it affects. It seems to be that the Low setting offers the narrowest band, while High has a tendency to be more forgiving, marking areas that are noticeably out of focus in the final shot as in-focus. Many older digital cameras used to hyper-sharpen in-focus areas on the LCD to help verify focus, but this goes quite a bit further, invoking a technique also used in Canon and Sony's higher-end HD camcorders, as well as a few high-end HD monitors for video-capable SLRs.
Peaking is usable with Sony's autofocus E-mount lenses, but its true value is seen when using third-party manual-focus lenses, making for a quick and easy way to verify focus rather than zooming in to check with every exposure. Another benefit is that you see the peaking at the actual aperture, for a better representation of the available depth of field.

never expected to see a link to wildsnow on here! i think the comment from sinecure encapsulates what most skier/photogs would like from a camera (plus a proper viewfinder) but it is probably an impossible dream...

frogfish - the NEX's do have small bodies but once you add a lens, pocket ability goes out of the window

Is that not the same with the Q though

Why does it need adaptors?
I mean the IQ is probably not the best and since you've lenses that need an adapter i also assume you've a camera that has the right mount with better image quality, so why do it?
Also the sensor is very small so it change the angle of view of the lens drastically!
The only adapter i might want to use is one for the m4/3, for the other the mounts the register distance or the lenses are too large for the Q.

smeggypants - guess it depends on the pocket. I'd like to see the Q next to an LX5. I have an LX5 and can't see myself replacing it with a Q. However, I see that as about as big as it gets before a camera is very much jacket pocketable only

Does this help to show you the size?

Looks a bit small and fiddly
A bit bigger and they could have put a bigger sensor in and had a K mount adapter.

Imaging resource was quite happy with the handling though, have you already read it?
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PENTAXQ/PENTAXQA.HTM

some highlights.
As someone who's used to handling everything from the smallest pocket cameras to the largest pro SLRs, I have no problem adapting to the small size of the Pentax Q. Its small buttons are familiar and easy to use, with each working as I expect; indeed the buttons work better than some of the small cameras we review.

Lenses snick on and off of the Pentax Q just as they do on any other quality system camera with metal mounts, which is nice.In fact, there's nothing cheap feeling about the Pentax Q. It's all pretty solid and well-made. In the hand it feels rock solid, more so than any pocket camera of recent memory, even more than the Canon S90. The Pentax Q's magnesium alloy body is obviously the cause.

You don't really grip the Pentax Q, you pinch it gently between your two middle fingers and your thumb. For me, it rides high in my hand, with my right ring finger propping it up from underneath the front panel. It's very easy to shoot only one-handed, though of course we always recommend using two. That's fairly easy as well, thanks to the large open area for the left hand, though I did find my finger entering some of the shots when I was shooting with the camera turned vertically to the right. Bring two comparatively large hands together on a small camera and that'll happen now and then.

If you want to use K mount lenses you might as well buy yourself a Kx or Kr, those are also really small and much better to use and better image quality.
The Q with the prime lenses will fit in your pockets when you start to carry K lenses it will be over a bit sooner.
btw they could have fit a bigger sensor in it if they didn't build-in the SR. Just look at the review i posted here to see how big the SR is.

I also already have said it a lot of times but i doubt that Pentax has made this camera to compete with the lower end DSLR market like the other evil camera's are doing. This is more of a camera to have beside your DSLR. So actually it's more a point and shoot with exchangeable lenses.

I'm joking. The Q apparently is all about fun. I'd lose it in less than an hour.

I'm only wondering what the street price will be for this toy...