Pentax Q S-1, Is this World's Smallest Interchangeable Lens Camera?

Is smaller better when it comes to prosumer camera with interchangeable lens system?  Sure, why not, as long as the image quality does not suffer from the small form factor.

Since its first announcement, the biggest attention grabbing factor for the Pentax Q-series cameras has been their minuscule size and interchangeable lenses. Now, Pentax Q-S1 is official with pricing details.

Unfortunately, Pentax Q S-1 may not claim the title of being the world's smallest interchangeable lens camera.  That title still goes to Panasonic GM1 which has even bigger sensor - Micro Four Thirds.

The sensor in Q-S1 is a 12.4-megapixels backside-illuminated CMOS with a maximum ISO of 12,800. It uses a 1/1.7-inch sensor (similar to that of the Q7) with built-in shake reduction.

There is no doubt that this camera will make a big fashion statement.  It look quite attractive and looks unlike any camera in the market today.  It even offers an array of super cute  color choices; 4 standard body colors and 36 more body and grip colors!

Another welcoming news is the price of this charming little camera.  It's priced at $449 which is probably lower than most if not all interchangeable lens cameras from well known brands.


Check the lowest price at Amazon:

Full Specification

Lens Mount	Pentax bayonet Q-mount K-mount lenses compatible with optional adapter
Image Sensor	1/1.7” Backlit CMOS with primary color filter DRII Ultrasonic dust removal system
Effective Pixels	12.4 MP
Total Pixels	12.76 MP
Maximum Resolution	12 MP: 4000 x 3000
Aspect Ratio	4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Still Image File Format	JPEG (Exif 2.3), RAW (including DNG), RAW + JPEG
Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift
Storage Media	SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi memory cards
Viewfinder Type	Optional Pentax O-VF1 mounts onto hot shoe
Shutter Type	Mechanical and electronic
Shutter Speed	Lens: 1/2000 - 30 sec, 1/3 EV steps Electronic: 1/8000 - 30 sec
Flash Sync Speed	Lens Shutter: 1/2000 sec Electronic Shutter: 1/13 sec
Top Continuous Shooting Rate	Approx. 5 fps at full resolution, up to 100 frames
Self-Timer	12 sec, 2 sec
Interval Recording	Photo: 3.0 sec - 24 hr interval, up to 999 images Video: 3 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, or 1 hr interval; 12 sec - 99 hr recording time
Exposure Metering	TTL image sensor, segment, center-weighted, spot EV 1 - 17 (ISO 100, f/1.9 lens), +2 EV using electronic shutter setting or ND filter
Exposure Modes	Programmed Auto, AE Lock, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual Exposure, Bulb, Blur Control* Auto: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Quick Macro*, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, HDR*, Night Snap, Blue Sky, Forest, Sunset, Moving Object, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum Exposure bracketing: 3 frames
Exposure Compensation	From - 3 to +3 EV in 1/3 EV steps
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100 to 12800 in 1/3 EV steps Bulb mode: up to 1600
Autofocus System	Contrast-detection AF Brightness range: EV 0 to 18（ISO 100) LED AF assist lamp
Number of Focus Points	Not specified by manufacturer
Focus Modes	Face detection, tracking, multi-point, select, and spot AF MF AF / MF switching Manual focus assist: Off, x2, x4, x6 Focus peaking Continuous AF during movie recording
Built-In Flash	Yes, retractable P-TTL flash Guide number: approx. 16' / 4.9 m at ISO 100, approx. 23' / 7.0 m at ISO 200 Angle of coverage of 28mm lens (35mm equivalent)
Flash Modes	P-TTL, red-eye reduction, slow-speed sync, rear curtain sync
Flash Compensation	From –2.0 to +1.0 EV
External Flash Interface	Hot shoe
White Balance Modes	Auto TTL, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (Daylight Color (D), Daylight White (N), Cool White (W), Warm White (L)), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, Manual Manual: Save up to 3 settings, copy setting of a captured image Fine Adjustment: Adjustable ±7 steps on A-B axis or G-M axis
Movie Recording	Yes, NTSC / PAL Full HD 1920x1080 at 30/25/24 fps HD 1280x720 at 30/25/24 fps VGA 640x480 at 30/25/24 fps)
File Format	MPEG–4 AVC/H.264 (MOV)
Audio Recording	Yes, via built-in mono microphone
Audio File Format	Not specified by manufacturer
External Microphone Input	No
Headphone Jack	No
Maximum Recording Time	25 min
Monitor	3.0" TFT color LCD with AR coating (460,000 dots) Adjustable brightness and color 100% frame coverage Display Info: Grid (4x4, Golden Section, scale display), bright/dark area warning, histogram
Interface	USB 2.0 (MSC / PTP), AV out, Micro HDMI out (type D)
Wi-Fi	No
Remote Control	O-RC1 or Remote F (optional) Instant, 3-sec delay, continuous capture modes
Power Source	D-LI68 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included) Battery Charger D-BC68P (included) AC Adapter: K-AC115U (optional)
Operating Environment	32-104°F / 0 to 40°C
Dimensions	Approx. 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3” / 10.4 x 5.8 x 3.3 cm
Weight	Camera Only: Approx. 6.5 oz / 183 g With Battery and Memory Card: approx 7.2 oz / 203 g