Quick Comparison: Q vs RX100 (and a few others)

ndjedinak · 07-25-2012, 07:41 AM - **1 Like**

Hello Q users! I've really enjoyed shooting my Q, and it quickly became my most-often carried camera. It's such a fun camera to shoot.

However, I've been less pleased than I'd like with the 02 Zoom, and the Q's color rendition; both together give me pause at taking the Q as my only camera at times, such as a far-flung vacation. So I decided to give the RX100, photography's newest wunderkind, a try

Here's a quick test I did, I hope you enjoy it. I think the RX100 has promise. And man, I wish Pentax would bring out some more sharp fast primes for the Q; it needs them, to make its magic, IMO. http://ndjedinak.blogspot.com/2012/07/quick-test-sony-hx9v-vs-pentax-q-vs.html

**i_trax** · 07-26-2012, 06:46 AM

thank you for that, I honestly do not care about if Q is a bit better or worse than Sony or Nikon or Canon or Leica etc, I just love Q's ergonomics and design.
I do agree that 01 is much better performer than 02 ( I should probably sell it, practically never use it) , if I want better quality I would use my K5 otherwise the Q is just fun and very addictive.
I took just the Q onto my last trip to Europe and never really missed my other gear except wider than 01 lens on some occasions.
Yes, the Q would definitely enjoy some fast wide new prime lenses!

ndjedinak · 07-27-2012, 08:37 AM

You're welcome! I thought Q owners would be curious, glad to see there's some interest. Really, there is so much that makes a camera great, and image quality is only part of the equation. The Q really is a great camera, in so many ways.

Any other thoughts from the Q peanut gallery? Tons of clickthroughs, but not much discussion

NickLarsson · 08-01-2012, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the comparison!

I like the B/W pictures from the Q, are these out of the box or did you PP them ?

ndjedinak · 08-01-2012, 05:47 PM

You're welcome! Thanks for the compliment. I really like the Q's B&W rendering.

All my shots are straight out of camera... To replicate this B&W "look" turn off shadow and highlight correction, NR low, turn on the orange filter, contrast all the way up or one click down, and fine sharpness +1. enjoy!

pinholecam · 08-01-2012, 08:27 PM

Thanks for sharing.
I like your review of the Q very much and found myself nodding in agreement at all the points made.

Unsinkable II · 08-02-2012, 01:30 AM

Great review and great blog. Cheers!

Tonto · 08-06-2012, 02:04 AM

Great timing I am STILL on the fence about the Q and now the RX100 looks interesting - I reckon the feel and ergonomics/control will win out as well as macro/super tele opportunities with the K adaptor.

How does the size compare (depth) of the Q with 01 compared with the powered down RX100?

ndjedinak · 08-06-2012, 05:56 AM

I think if you want to use 1:1 macro and super tele, the RX100 isn't a good fit. Think of the RX100 like a Leica rangefinder; really excellent quality from mild wide to mild tele. Anything beyond that isn't really possible. (in the case of the Leica, it's possible, just not as easy, there are better tools).

If you can get your tele and macro fix elsewhere, and plan on shooting 28-100 the majority of the time, the RX100 will provide better image quality.

Size-wise, if you are familiar with the current crop of "travel zoom" cameras, like the Sony HX20V or Canon SX260, you are familiar with the RX100's size. It is quite a bit slimmer than the Q. Whether you care will depend upon what type of pants you have on, and whether you like to have something other than a 50mm attached to the Q; the Q's zoom makes it significantly larger than the RX100. For me, while the RX100 feels slimmer and less noticeable in a pocket, I'm OK with the Q/01 Prime also.

Hope that helps!

Tonto · 08-06-2012, 06:42 AM

That does abit thanks - jacket pocket or slack pant pocket here, any smaller then would use the mobile.
Once again I think the overall ergonomics will win out. Also the Q can be had pretty cheaply now.
May get in touch later if you want to sell the zoom

ndjedinak · 08-06-2012, 02:58 PM

Ergonomically, I'd say the Q is a little better, primarily due to the grip and rear dial with better haptic feedback. The dual dials of the Sony plus the Fn menu are highly configurable, though, and the memory functions are fantastic for quick setup of shooting configurations. In practice I don't think either will limit you, Ergonomically.

07-25-2012, 07:41 AM - 1 Like	#1
ndjedinak Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 186	Quick Comparison: Q vs RX100 (and a few others) Hello Q users! I've really enjoyed shooting my Q, and it quickly became my most-often carried camera. It's such a fun camera to shoot. However, I've been less pleased than I'd like with the 02 Zoom, and the Q's color rendition; both together give me pause at taking the Q as my only camera at times, such as a far-flung vacation. So I decided to give the RX100, photography's newest wunderkind, a try Here's a quick test I did, I hope you enjoy it. I think the RX100 has promise. And man, I wish Pentax would bring out some more sharp fast primes for the Q; it needs them, to make its magic, IMO. http://ndjedinak.blogspot.com/2012/07/quick-test-sony-hx9v-vs-pentax-q-vs.html

08-06-2012, 02:04 AM	#8
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	Great timing I am STILL on the fence about the Q and now the RX100 looks interesting - I reckon the feel and ergonomics/control will win out as well as macro/super tele opportunities with the K adaptor. How does the size compare (depth) of the Q with 01 compared with the powered down RX100? Last edited by Tonto; 08-06-2012 at 02:17 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Quick Lens Comparison (Voigtlander 58/1.4, A50/1.7, A50/2.8 Macro)	jeffshaddix	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	06-09-2014 04:29 AM
Sony RX100	Clicker	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	138	08-25-2012 04:50 PM
A quick comparison Tak 100mm F4 vs Tak 105mm 2.8	eccs19	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	09-19-2010 06:06 AM
Quick comparison: Pentax consumer tele zooms	creampuff	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	07-28-2010 04:26 PM
Quick unscientific AF-360FGZ and AF-540FGZ comparison shots	Edvinas	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	6	02-22-2008 05:12 PM

07-26-2012, 06:46 AM	#2
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	thank you for that, I honestly do not care about if Q is a bit better or worse than Sony or Nikon or Canon or Leica etc, I just love Q's ergonomics and design. I do agree that 01 is much better performer than 02 ( I should probably sell it, practically never use it) , if I want better quality I would use my K5 otherwise the Q is just fun and very addictive. I took just the Q onto my last trip to Europe and never really missed my other gear except wider than 01 lens on some occasions. Yes, the Q would definitely enjoy some fast wide new prime lenses!

07-27-2012, 08:37 AM	#3
ndjedinak Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 186 Original Poster	You're welcome! I thought Q owners would be curious, glad to see there's some interest. Really, there is so much that makes a camera great, and image quality is only part of the equation. The Q really is a great camera, in so many ways. Any other thoughts from the Q peanut gallery? Tons of clickthroughs, but not much discussion

08-01-2012, 05:37 PM	#4
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	Thanks for the comparison! I like the B/W pictures from the Q, are these out of the box or did you PP them ?

08-01-2012, 05:47 PM	#5
ndjedinak Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 186 Original Poster	You're welcome! Thanks for the compliment. I really like the Q's B&W rendering. All my shots are straight out of camera... To replicate this B&W "look" turn off shadow and highlight correction, NR low, turn on the orange filter, contrast all the way up or one click down, and fine sharpness +1. enjoy!

08-01-2012, 08:27 PM	#6
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Thanks for sharing. I like your review of the Q very much and found myself nodding in agreement at all the points made.

08-02-2012, 01:30 AM	#7
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Great review and great blog. Cheers!

08-06-2012, 05:56 AM	#9
ndjedinak Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 186 Original Poster	I think if you want to use 1:1 macro and super tele, the RX100 isn't a good fit. Think of the RX100 like a Leica rangefinder; really excellent quality from mild wide to mild tele. Anything beyond that isn't really possible. (in the case of the Leica, it's possible, just not as easy, there are better tools). If you can get your tele and macro fix elsewhere, and plan on shooting 28-100 the majority of the time, the RX100 will provide better image quality. Size-wise, if you are familiar with the current crop of "travel zoom" cameras, like the Sony HX20V or Canon SX260, you are familiar with the RX100's size. It is quite a bit slimmer than the Q. Whether you care will depend upon what type of pants you have on, and whether you like to have something other than a 50mm attached to the Q; the Q's zoom makes it significantly larger than the RX100. For me, while the RX100 feels slimmer and less noticeable in a pocket, I'm OK with the Q/01 Prime also. Hope that helps!

08-06-2012, 06:42 AM	#10
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	That does abit thanks - jacket pocket or slack pant pocket here, any smaller then would use the mobile. Once again I think the overall ergonomics will win out. Also the Q can be had pretty cheaply now. May get in touch later if you want to sell the zoom

08-06-2012, 02:58 PM	#11
ndjedinak Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 186 Original Poster	Ergonomically, I'd say the Q is a little better, primarily due to the grip and rear dial with better haptic feedback. The dual dials of the Sony plus the Fn menu are highly configurable, though, and the memory functions are fantastic for quick setup of shooting configurations. In practice I don't think either will limit you, Ergonomically.