Pentax Pentax Q Leaked on Pentax Imaging Website!

Amin

Hall of Famer
A short while ago, the Pentax Q was briefly leaked at the Pentax Imaging website.

That page was quickly taken down, but we found an image of the camera on the Lithuanian website Efoto.lt:

Q.JPG


Prior rumors had referred to this camera as the NC1. Otherwise, the rumored specs were on target.

The Q has a 1/2.3" sensor, roughly 35% smaller than the 1/1.7" sensor in the Canon S95 and 1/8th the size of a Four Thirds sensor. Using 35mm format as a reference, the Q has a 5.65X "crop factor".


The following additional information from the PentaxImaging.com leak was shared in the DPReview forums:

World's Smallest and Lightest Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

The Q represents an evolution in interchangeable lens digital camera design, featuring the world’s smallest and lightest body. Experience the PENTAX Q. The Camera. Evolved.

Q-Mount Lens System

The Q features the newly designed PENTAX Q-mount lens system for convenient interchangeability with a variety of specialty Q lenses. Choose from a selection of prime, zoom, fisheye lenses, and more to suit just about any photographic need.

12.4 Megapixels

Enjoy exceptional image quality in 12.4 megapixels courtesy of the Q’s 1/2.3 inch backlit CMOS image sensor. Capable of producing 12 bit DNG RAW and JPG images, the backlit CMOS sensor is a highly efficient light-gathering instrument designed specifically to produce very low noise at high levels of sensitivity.

Durable

Though extremely compact, the Q is also surprisingly durable, sporting lightweight, scratch resistant magnesium alloy covers.

Traditional DSLR Shooting Modes

Experienced photographers will enjoy the power and flexibility of traditional DSLR shooting modes such as Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority, and Metered Manual exposure control. Yet casual shooters will appreciate the highly convenient automatic modes such as the set-it-and-forget-it PENTAX Auto Picture and 21 scene modes.

Customizable Quick Dial

Conveniently choose from a variety of creative modes, Smart Effect options, or camera settings to assign to the Q’s Quick Dial located on the front of the camera. Easily customize the setting or effect using the Quick Dial’s 4 positions, allowing you to concentrate on photography without having to explore the camera’s menu system.

HDR Capture

In-camera HDR capture mode shoots 3 images of varying exposures, blending them to bring out the details in even the darkest shadows and brightest highlights of extreme contrast shots.

1080p HD Video

Shoot high quality motion video with stunning full 1080p HD clarity at 30 frames per second. The Q efficiently processes the full HD video using high quality h.264 compression for superior color and detail. Explore creative video effects through the use of custom image modes, digital video filters, and interval shooting; or select from a variety of Q lenses to realize your perfect artistic vision.

Sensor-Shift Shake Reduction

Capture stabilized, blur and dust free images even in low lighting courtesy of the Q’s sensor-shift Shake Reduction system with integrated DRII Dust Reduction. Body-based Shake Reduction operates independently of the Q’s lenses, allowing the same level of stabilization regardless of lens selection.

3 Inch LCD Monitor

Easily capture or review images and video using the Q’s large 3 inch LCD monitor. The high quality LCD features HVGA resolution with 460,000 dots, as well as viewing angles up to 170 degrees horizontally and vertically.

5 FPS

Capture even the fastest action with a 5 frames per second continuous shooting mode, ideal for sporting events, children at play, or any fast action situation.

Bokeh Control Filter

Enjoy effortless bokeh control with the Q’s bokeh control filter. Traditionally controlled through a DSLR lens’s aperture, bokeh is the out of focus part of the background that helps to emphasize the subject, drawing the viewer’s eyes to the most important part of the photo. The Q assists the experienced and casual photographer alike by offering a fine degree of extra control over image bokeh via an in-camera filter operation.

Smart Effects Mode

New Smart Effects modes enhance digital photography by applying a series of effects to images to achieve high quality finishing. Brilliant Color, Vintage Color, Warm Fade, Bold Monochrome, and Water Color are just some of the Smart Effects available, which can also be assigned to the Q’s Quick Dial.

USER Modes For Creativity

Powerful USER modes allow the creative photographer to save a series of favorite camera settings, filters, and custom image modes for instant reuse.

1/2000 to 30 Second Shutter Speeds

Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 to 30 seconds, perfect for freezing fast action or capturing long nighttime exposures. Bulb mode adds flexibility for low light photography and motion effects.

Built-In Popup Flash

The Q’s built-in popup flash adds the perfect amount of extra light to an image, while its high extension naturally reduces the redeye effect common to compact cameras. The Q’s flash is effective to 23 feet at 200 ISO, and covers a wide angle 28 degree field of view.

HDMI Port

A built-in micro HDMI port is perfect for outputting high resolution images and video, with sound, to modern HDTVs.

SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory Cards

The Q is compatible with the latest generation SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards for ultra-high capacity storage as well as outstanding image file portability.

RAW File Processing

The Q includes SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3 software for powerful and flexible RAW file processing. In-camera RAW image development is also supported.

External Viewfinder Available Separately

Compose images and video either with the Q’s LCD monitor or using a shoe-mounted viewfinder attachment available as an optional accessory. The External Viewfinder O-VF1 makes an excellent accessory to the Q, offering outstanding compositional framing, even in the brightest sunlight where viewing an LCD screen is traditionally a challenge.
 
Awe shucks.... I was hoping for something along the lines of a digital 110. Heck.. even with the same mirror box as the 110. External EVF will just make the "World Smallest" not so small.

I hope it does well (I am a pentax fan) BUT I am having trouble seeing the value proposition against its soon to be rivals. It better be cheap.


Cosmetically, eh...

4 different shades of beige??? Maybe when computers were all drab beige.... but not today. At least use complimentary colors.
 
Seems like Pentax has a thing for small cameras. That 110 Instamatic SLR camera was really cute but of course image quality was very much limited by the film size... may be the same problem with this design?
 
Seems like Pentax has a thing for small cameras. That 110 Instamatic SLR camera was really cute but of course image quality was very much limited by the film size... may be the same problem with this design?

Welcome to S.C., John. It sure seems like a risky move from Pentax!
 
It better be cheap.

From what I've read, it'll be $800 with the zoom lens. For Pentax's sake, I hope this is incorrect. I don't know who in their right mind would pay that price when they can get a Canon S95, Panny LX5 or Olympus ZX-1 (all of which have a better lens) for well under $500.

Here's the back of the camera:

pentax-q-mirrorless-camera.jpe
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
OMG...4 shades of beige AND a black back.... what are they thinking?

Yes.. i agree. There is no excuse for that price range... I do hope thats incorrect intel

hmm.... what happened to the Kenko mirrorless that used c mount lenses?
 
I love my Pentax gear but I have never been impressed with Pentax's small sensor tech... its just not good enough. I'm really disappointed if this is where they are going. Pentax/Hoya need to get their sh*t together and look at what the market is actually buying. I wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot bargepole.

Its just another rubbish P&S FFS!!!
 
Well, the sensor is small - but hang on . .. compared to the respected sensors of the S95 it's not THAT small - percentages and areas are of course relevant, but:
Pentax Sensor: 6.17mm wide
Canon Sensor: 7.49mm wide

This is not light and dark quality difference.
Bear in mind also the Sony sensor . . . recent Sony sensors have been very good
Added to which the Pentax Q is actually slightly smaller than the S95

I think this camera will take perfectly good pictures, and I reckon it's a bold move from Pentax, and one that might easily come off.
Much more sensible than another 'also ran' APSc/m4/3 competitor, which would seem to me like suicide.

Personally, what interests me is the rumoured Nikon entry with a 1" sensor - which seems to me to be the perfect compromise.
We'll see!
all the best
 
It's not for me, but I'm going to briefly play devils advocate.

Imagine you are a novice p&s user (ie not an enthusiast like most of us here) and you want to 'take better pictures' you might think 'I need a better camera, one with lenses!' - now a lot of people don't want a dslr purely for aesthetic reasons, have never used one, and don't know (quality wise) what they're not getting.

This will compete directly with nex, m43 (and samsung), but the target market won't be looking at the dslr like G(H)x series, just the really small bodied ones. And in this segment, the lens size reduction gains afforded by using a 1/2.3 sensor will be a draw - 'nex is nice but lenses are too big'. It might take pictures just as capably as an s95 or lx5, and it will have interchangeable lenses to suit different uses. Size and aesthetics look good, if I were pentax I'd sell it as either a kit zoom or two prime kit for less than a nex3 and go for it. It's not aimed at me, but I can see why they've made it.
 
It is a nice idea, but for me with that sensor size, it is a no as I already have a S95 otherwise I might have considered it as it is small and has changeable lenses, If I could fit the camera in one pocket and a smalll lens in another, Id be happy.
I think that Pentax have a problem with this, as alot of the target market will go online and read reviews before buying. Unfortuantly, review sites are notorious for pixel peeping and will mark the camera down for low light/noise etc etc which will perhaps put people off. I know Im influenced by reviews and have to remind myself constantly that the faults they pick up on, I wouldn't probably notice in day to day shooting..
 
I guess, that it is intended for the Japanese market. Japanese people seem to like such toys very much and I think they might eventually buy a camera like this. I don't consider the typical American or European consumer as the typical target for such a camera.
 
Who will buy this camera?

It may become a wannahave, a cult camera.
Price tag for camera plus OVF is (still) too high.
What I like is it's size, the retro look, body material.

Question, is Nikon working on a mirrorless camera?
 
Back
Top