Pentax Introduces New Mirrorless System

[Gianna'sPapa]

This looks to be interesting. A new small sensor 'Q' mount, mirrorless camera. Its touted as being the smallest interchangeable lens camera on the market. It looks to be about 2/3 the size of the Nex. It could be a nice solution to those not wanting to carry a DSLR, but with the options a DSLR offers including in-camera HDR.

http://dpreview.com/news/1106/11062311pentaxqpreview.asp

http://dpreview.com/news/1106/11062310pentaxqlenses.asp

 

[Bstanley]

Now if only my Pentax 110 lenses fit it!

 

[zackiedawg]

Nice to have selections in the marketplace for sure. I don't know that I'd quite call it a competitor for the M4:3 or NEX cameras, since the sensor is just a 1/2.3" P&S sensor...smaller even than the one in the Panny LX5 or Canon S95. But it could be an interesting alternative to those two advanced P&S cameras, because it gives a ton of control, nice build, RAW capability, and interchangeable lenses with some nice features. Or it could be a nice idea instead of a P&S or superzoom P&S, if indeed they end up releasing those types of Q mount lenses - it's essentially an interchangeable-lens P&S compact - a neat idea as the camera could be configured to be a slimmer, pocketable P&S like the S95, or configured with a superzoom type lens to function more like a Panny FZ or Sony HX.

Bstanley's got a point - it would seem awfully logical for Pentax to make it somehow work with 110 lenses! A classic connection that would be...but the crop factor would be downright huge - approx. 6x crop factor, so a 50mm becomes a 300mm! Good for telephoto, not so good for wide.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

We will have to see it when it actually hits the market. The DW was looking for something small, but likes to play. She is a diehard Pentax person, so this could be in her wheelhouse. Then I could sell one of our K10's and put it toward the K5 or its successor. I think I'm developing a plan!

 

[JoeDif]

I'm thinking the $800 pricetag may be camera suicide for a camera with a P & S sensor.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Yes that could hurt sales, but we'll see what the real world price ends up being. The K5 started at $1600 and now is $1327. I would think it may end up in the area of its direct competition. I just saw the Sony Nex 5 for $649. We'll see, it just looks like an interesting option if the price is right.

 

[zackiedawg]

At $500ish, it might get some sales...much will depend on if the little sensor can deliver at least decent daylight quality images. At $400, it could be a solid seller, as an alternative to fixed-lens P&S cameras. I guess it depends on what Pentax thinks its competition is for this camera. Are they targeting potential S95/LX5 buyers with an interchangeable lens option with a slightly smaller sensor but good manual controls? Or are they trying to go after M4:3 and NEX buyers...which might be a much tougher sell with a sensor as much as 13x smaller. If they want to go after M4:3/NEX, I think the price needs to be a lot lower, so the sensor and IQ compromise is outweighed by the savings and portability.

As I said before...always nice to see options in the market - the more choices the better for we consumers!

 

[ukcatfan]

I am a little disappointed, but at least the lenses seem to be affordable. I bet the street price for the camera will end up closer to $600 shortly after release. I don't know if they even gave a US release date though, so by the time it gets here the price could end up even lower.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I am a little disappointed, but at least the lenses seem to be affordable. I bet the street price for the camera will end up closer to $600 shortly after release. I don't know if they even gave a US release date though, so by the time it gets here the price could end up even lower.

They said US release will be Sept/Oct. Japan release will be first. Maybe they will get a 'read' on the market in Japan and price accordingly in US. Time will tell.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

What a waste of R&D! They put money into what they think is going to be the next thing (Mirrorless DSLR) give it a ton of great options but a tiny sensor! What was the point?

Pentax users have been screaming for a Full Frame body, why not put some effort into that. Anything would work for the Pentaxians...

 

[zackiedawg]

Don't give up yet...rumor has been for some months that Pentax was working on two mirrorless interchangeable systems...this is the first, but the other rumor has been for an APS-C sensor version. It might be 6mo to a year off, so see what happens. If they end up falling through or not producing an APS-C version, all of the current mirrorless systems take Pentax lenses, so you can still pick up a second body to play with when you want to travel lighter.

 

[boBQuincy]

This article has a pair of comparison photos at the end to show how Sony's Exmor sensor (as used in the Pentax Q) stacks up to a micro 4/3. This is all I need to see to decide which system I will purchase.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_hx_100v.shtml

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This article has a pair of comparison photos at the end to show how Sony's Exmor sensor (as used in the Pentax Q) stacks up to a micro 4/3. This is all I need to see to decide which system I will purchase.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_hx_100v.shtml

I like to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges, so I do not wish to be argumentative, but the image shown for the Sony is a 16 mp sensor and not the same 12 mp sensor used in the Q. Before making such comparisons, I believe we should compare output to output. I agree if the output is the same as the one shown, I would go with the Oly, but until I see some comparisons I am remaining openminded. There may be a reason Pentax chose a 12 mp sensor.

 

[photo_chick]

Now if only my Pentax 110 lenses fit it!

Oh now that would be sweet!

But really, given that the Pentax 110 SLR was the smallest SLR on the market, is this any surprise? Now how do I convince the husband that must have one to play with.... I don't know which toy I want more. This or the Fuji X100.

 

[boBQuincy]

I like to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges, so I do not wish to be argumentative, but the image shown for the Sony is a 16 mp sensor and not the same 12 mp sensor used in the Q. Before making such comparisons, I believe we should compare output to output. I agree if the output is the same as the one shown, I would go with the Oly, but until I see some comparisons I am remaining openminded. There may be a reason Pentax chose a 12 mp sensor.

Not argumentative at all, it's a completely valid point. It is possible the Q sensor will show improvement over Sony's 16 MP Exmor but it is likely to be difficult to get more detail from fewer pixels unless the 16 MP is reaching way too far just for the sake of marketing.

DXOMark should be testing the Q sensor soon, I am waiting to compare the results with 4/3 sensors.