Should I buy a 'Q'

Always format a card in the camera it is going to be used in.

You're probably right from a belts'n'braces point of view, John - but in my experience over many years of using various digital cameras I currently have (and have had) I have never found that to be essential. I regularly swap cards without formatting on the camera I've just popped it in, not once had a single problem.
In this instance, it was an odd case of removing the DCIM folder that made the 'Q' happy.

I've also updated the firmware to 1.1 and checked that the 'Q' is compatible with EyeFi cards, it is
► http://support.eye.fi/cameras/#pentax

With regards to 1080p video - have you found it to be satisfactory?
720p is quite OK, but 1080p is complete rubbish
My Galaxy S2 phone is far superior with Video...

You're taking a chance sledger, and fomatting is best practice. It doesn't take long.

If you don't format then remnants of previous file structures will start to take up space on the card and you may get corruption of the files.

We format every time we re-use a card as ending up with a corrupted card, say at a wedding, would be indefensible.

As you like John, I've taken thousands of photos over many years across several cameras an not once had a corrupt image because I haven't formatted one of the SD cards first..
I think this might be one of those topics where there are divisions amongst users.
As this if off-topic I won't bring it up again here.

I would however like to hear from you or other 'Q' owners about the 1080p video quality?

Cheers

+100
The only time I have ever had corrupt images is when I didn't.

It takes less than 30 secs to reformat a card when you put it back in the camera, why on earth anyone would not do it and take the risk is beyond me.

thought sledger had answered that but hey I'm dragging the thread off topic so I shant comment further on that aspect.

Maybe off topic, but it is important. sledger did have a problem, which he wouldn't have if he'd formatted his cards. Old, unwanted file structures gradually reduce the amount of space on a card. The DCIM folder that caused the problem wouldn't have been there.

ah ...that's what you get for skimming a thread I only read the bits where he said he's taken thousands of shots over many years with no problems...My Bad - sorry 'bout that

I agree John, formatting a card in the device it's going to be used in is the only safe way to use cards. Formatting re-news the DCIM (Digital Camera Image Management) file in a camera, cards don't use the same formatting as hard drives they cannot see the whole memory map as they are paged memory, if an image tries to spread onto another memory page it will corrupt the card.

The data in the DCIM file prevents this, amongst other important things, such as not allowing a larger new file to overwrite a deleted file if there's not enough room for it which leads to 'orphan files' which will corrupt the new as well as the partially overwritten file. It also controls the beginning and end of each image/video file in playback.

If this is off topic (and it is), I apologise, but it's really important to know.

And I for one am delighted for the info

New Q kit just arrived- earlier than scheduled. SOOO tiny

Very excited...

For anybody verging on the brink of buying a Pentax Q there are some really good price drops at SRS, such as £99.00 for a spare body and the 5 - 15mm zoom at £129.00. Or buy them both together for £199.00

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/c/502/Pentax-Q-Cameras.html

I hope this is allowed on this forum, but it is great news though I suspect they won't last long. Probably the last chance to buy the original Q.

All I need now is for the Q - K mount adapter's price to drop, I really need that shutter.

Thanks Chris, yes, it's allowed on the forum, and it's been covered in the Leads to Deals section. If you haven'y noticed that part of the forum, do keep an eye on it for all sorts of Pentax-related deals.

I picked up a Q body with a Q to 110 adapter and C mount adapter on the way. £99 for such a well built and well thought out camera is a steal.

Thanks for the clarification John, I will keep an eye on the Leads to Deals section.

Yes get the original Q with the 01 lens if you can find it at a discounted price . Its well built, intuitive to use, very portable. I have an adaptor for other lenses but not sure its needed as portability/small size is optimal with 01 lens.
cheers
bb2