The Pentax Q series is a series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras made by Pentax and introduced in 2011 with the initial model Pentax Q. As of September 2012, it was the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens digital camera. The first models used a 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) back-illuminated sensor CMOS image sensor. The Q7, introduced in June 2013, uses a larger 1/1.7" type sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm).
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Characteristics
The Q series small sensor size means that it has a crop factor of 5.6× (or 4.7× for the Q7 and Q-S1) and a short flange focal distance (FFD) of 9.2mm. With the 5.6× crop factor, an adapted 100mm lens has the equivalent field of view (FOV) of a 560mm telephoto in the 35mm full-frame format. An additional implication of the 5.6× crop factor is that depth of field (DOF) is increased proportionally for any given aperture setting. This gives the Pentax Q an advantage over larger formats in some situations that can offset the other limitations that arise from its smaller sensor size.
The short FFD of the Pentax Q series enables lenses from many manufacturers to be adapted to it, including: Olympus OM, Canon FD, Minolta, M42 screw mount, M39 Leica, C-Mount, D-Mount, Pentax K, and Pentax 6×7. A Pentax adapter with a synchronized shutter for Pentax K-mount lenses was released in October 2012.
The camera is equipped with 'SR' sensor-shift image stabilization technology to improve image quality when using the camera without a tripod. It works with all native and adapted lenses. The Pentax Q also features a "blur" mode to provide a pseudo shallow focus effect when desired.
Pentax Q
The initial model was announced in June, 2011.
Pentax Q10
Announced in September, 2012, the Q10 has a slightly redesigned body and an improved sensor. Most features and specifications were unchanged.
Pentax Q7
The Q7 was announced in June 2013 and has a larger 1/1.7" sensor. It is available in a wide variety of colors.
Pentax Q-S1
The Q-S1 was announced August 4, 2014. It has a 1/1.7" sensor. In addition to the Q-7 features, it has auto focusing in the video mode (with the 01, 02 and 08 lenses.)
Lenses
Eight lenses have been released in the Pentax Q system: