Thread: The Pentax Q - a real World user review

Thanks for this, pinholecam :) I've been one of the naysayers from the outset. I've poked fun at the Q, swore blind I would never have one, and tbh I havent ever been very impressed with Pentax's small sensor cameras overall. However.. its now possible I could change my mind :)

Conclusion and Personal Impressions (for Now)
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I guess if there is a right time to wrap this up, its now.

In short here are the Pros and Cons (IMO) :

Pros
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1. Smallest pns and MILC out there
2. Fast AF speed in bright/fair conditions
3. Very well built and soild
4. Wealth of buttons to eliminate menu diving
5. Quick Dial on the front makes it easy to switch modes and have fun with photography like no other camera.
6. Very good tweakability in settings via the menu
7. Very quiet mechanical shutter
8. Totally silent electronic shutter
9. Good range of In-camera filters to play with
10. Good max flash sync speed with native lenses (1/2000 with built in flash and 1/250 with external flash)
11. Lenses can be brought over to the next new body unlike a conventional pns (saving part of the initial investment)
12. Fantastic tele/macro ability when coupled with DSLR lenses via an adapter, which is not provided on any other pns system and in fact unique as a system at time of writing.


Cons
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1. Short Battery Life
2. Rather typical pns like AF in low light; (CIRCA late 2011-2012 are already seeing pretty fast CDAF on some cameras).
3. 1/15 max flash sync speed limitation on non-native lenses without a built in shutter.
4. Slow start up time of about 4s with non-clear indication that camera is still starting up.



Personal Impressions and Thoughts
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Though there are some rough edges to the Q, I must say that having used it for just over a month and pushing it for the review.
I am thankful that Pentax was willing to take the risk and imagine up as well as produce such a system.

In the market today, there are pns ver#1, 2, 3, etc, coming out year after year and they basically provide the same bottom line.
To get pictures in a smaller form factor than their larger MILC/DSLR brothers.
A form of duplication of purpose or 'backup' to their larger counter parts.

The Q stands out in this respect.
Not only does it perform the purpose as mentioned above, with an adapter, it adds to what the enthusiast has without much duplication.
The extreme tele and macro shots presented is no mean feat, on any system, which would have need pretty hard-core use of extension tubes, diopters, teleconverters, expensive lenses or DIY jury-rigging to get to such extremes.


The incredible flexibility of the Q is really its biggest benefit over other premium small compacts.
IQ is "good enough" and the size is really a boon to taking it everywhere, which results in the ability to challenge and grow the users photography on a daily basis.

To me, if you like cameras and admire them, the Q is unique.
Sort of like how some camera makers went out there in the film days and did the 110, PEN, 44 cameras.(ie. smaller film size and all)
The Q is like a digital version of those (and those days)

A very enjoyable review with some fine images - thanks.

Firstly, you really know how to work that camera! A really nice review covering a wide range of focal lengths. By far the best 'real world' review on this camera I've seen till date. Though I doubt an average user would be able to get as much out of this camera as you have.

The only thing this review leaves me wondering about is the Q's performance in average to poor lighting conditions, which is the one reason that most people haven't opted for this system or given it a serious thought.

*stands and applauds*

"Bravo!"

The real world user review is fantastic. I love your sense of humor, too. Many thanks for a job well done.

Thanks for this detailed and very interesting review! I confess being also one of those who considered Q as a rather bizarre offering; your writing and images made me stand corrected:-)

Great review and images - thanks for sharing!

I was also one of the Q naysayers when it first came out, mostly due to the original price tag. Picked one up for my wife during an Amazon one day sale and she is getting good shots with the camera and it leaves the house with her more than the E-PL3 did.

I really enjoyed reading your review. I played with one in a shop and it feels very nice and well made. The camera has really nice output as your pics have shown. I'm hoping that the more new cameras that come out, the more they will drive the price of the Q downwards!

More than little bit surprised, at the capability of this little machine, after the negative "press".

Thanks, for the review.

Thanks for all that work, writing and great shots. The insect/spider shots are great. I tried some Q macros and really appreciate your ability to focus manually with only 4x magnification.