Pentax Q7 High-ISO Samples

Adam · 06-18-2013, 07:08 PM - **1 Like**

Here's a quick high-ISO test with the Q7 (in JPEG).

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go out and shoot today, and I'm afraid I might be a bit short on time tomorrow as well. But over the weekend I should have plenty of samples for you guys.

So far, the results look nearly identical to those of the MX-1: notice how there's a fairly big jump between ISO 800 and 1600. But this is still much better than what the original Q/Q10 could deliver.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

**crewl1** · 06-18-2013, 08:12 PM

Awesome the ISO800 looks usable now.

**mtngal** · 06-18-2013, 08:19 PM

Even the 1600 looks like it could be made to work out, at least better than the Q's 1600. 12,800 doesn't look useful though.

Biro · 06-18-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by mtngal

Even the 1600 looks like it could be made to work out, at least better than the Q's 1600. 12,800 doesn't look useful though.

Yes, it looks like ISO 800 is no problem and ISO 1600 in a pinch. It wasn't that many years ago that people said the same thing about the first generation of micro four-thirds cameras. Time and technology march on.

Docrwm · 06-18-2013, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by Biro

Yes, it looks like ISO 800 is no problem and ISO 1600 in a pinch. It wasn't that many years ago that people said the same thing about the first generation of micro four-thirds cameras. Time and technology march on.

And not too much before then that people were saying it about dSLRs.

anthony mazzeri · 06-18-2013, 10:10 PM

I know this is a test for ISO, but unlike other compacts (even including the MX-1) a major feature of the Q is it has a hotshoe and this is the sort of shot you would use a bounce flash for. So technically the specs are you can shoot perfectly sharp natural images at ISO 100 with the Q in even the most dimly lit and even near pitch black rooms whenever you need to without the garish P&S wash-out fill flash results you even have to put up with on a RX100 or Nikon J1.

gazonk · 06-19-2013, 01:03 AM

Are these downscaled full size images or crops?

sunny16 · 06-19-2013, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by anthony mazzeri

I know this is a test for ISO, but unlike other compacts (even including the MX-1) a major feature of the Q is it has a hotshoe and this is the sort of shot you would use a bounce flash for. So technically the specs are you can shoot perfectly sharp natural images at ISO 100 with the Q in even the most dimly lit and even near pitch black rooms whenever you need to without the garish P&S wash-out fill flash results you even have to put up with on a RX100 or Nikon J1.

Has Pentax released a flash sized for the Q? I mean, it's all well that it makes people happy that there's a hot shoe (a common knock on the MX-1) and I realize that you could put a "full sized" flash on it... but a Pentax or Metz flash would be twice as large/heavy as the camera itself and would seem pretty off-balanced. Maybe this is something Pentax can address in the near future?

Alizarine · 06-19-2013, 01:30 AM

oh noes. justification for the temptation...

... seems I'm going to go on a biscuits diet for next month for this... lol

wanderography · 06-19-2013, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by sunny16

Has Pentax released a flash sized for the Q? I mean, it's all well that it makes people happy that there's a hot shoe (a common knock on the MX-1) and I realize that you could put a "full sized" flash on it... but a Pentax or Metz flash would be twice as large/heavy as the camera itself and would seem pretty off-balanced. Maybe this is something Pentax can address in the near future?

why bother, most people who use a flash are gonna trigger it anyways, a flash trigger on top of the Q is a very tiny portrait package.

pinholecam · 06-19-2013, 07:29 AM

Thanks for the samples.

Practically, with a Prime 01 which is already very good at at f2 and f4 and lots of DOF already available, the user can actually 'get back' 1-2 more stops from the f5.6 that was used in these examples.
Basically, that means in real use, at ISO800, f2 and maybe a hand holdable or with bracing shutter speed of 1/15 (very small light camera btw), it can make do in many indoor shots w/o going much higher in ISO.
Of course if one's tolerance is ISO1600 as shown in the samples above, then thats even better.

stormtech · 06-19-2013, 07:36 AM

Thanks for feeding us some Q7 info so quickly Adam.

While these are good examples, there were taken with poor indoor light. I am wondering how the same comparison would look in bright outdoor light as that is how I usually shoot. I'm thinking examples in such light may bring even better results.

Adam · 06-19-2013, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by gazonk

Are these downscaled full size images or crops?

They're full size crops

Adam · 06-19-2013, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

Thanks for feeding us some Q7 info so quickly Adam.

While these are good examples, there were taken with poor indoor light. I am wondering how the same comparison would look in bright outdoor light as that is how I usually shoot. I'm thinking examples in such light may bring even better results.

I'll post some more today, along with other samples.

stormtech · 06-19-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Adam

I'll post some more today, along with other samples.

Great Adam - I wasn't trying to rush you - I did read where you will have more time over the weekend to do these things.

06-19-2013, 07:38 AM	#13
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by gazonk Are these downscaled full size images or crops? They're full size crops Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-19-2013, 07:39 AM	#14
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by stormtech Thanks for feeding us some Q7 info so quickly Adam. While these are good examples, there were taken with poor indoor light. I am wondering how the same comparison would look in bright outdoor light as that is how I usually shoot. I'm thinking examples in such light may bring even better results. I'll post some more today, along with other samples. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DPreview K-01 RAW high ISO samples botched!	JohnBee	Pentax K-01	8	05-04-2012 05:08 AM
K-5 low light/High ISO samples	johnmflores	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	21	04-19-2011 05:03 PM
Nikon D7000 High ISO Samples	vancmann	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	48	11-05-2010 06:38 PM
Dedicated Pentax K5 High ISO samples Thread	vancmann	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	2	11-03-2010 09:25 AM
Some K-r high ISO JPEG samples	Asahiflex	Pentax News and Rumors	34	10-11-2010 04:29 PM

06-18-2013, 08:12 PM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Awesome the ISO800 looks usable now.

06-18-2013, 08:19 PM	#3
mtngal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wherever I’m Parked Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,003	Even the 1600 looks like it could be made to work out, at least better than the Q's 1600. 12,800 doesn't look useful though.

06-18-2013, 08:53 PM	#4
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Originally posted by mtngal Even the 1600 looks like it could be made to work out, at least better than the Q's 1600. 12,800 doesn't look useful though. Yes, it looks like ISO 800 is no problem and ISO 1600 in a pinch. It wasn't that many years ago that people said the same thing about the first generation of micro four-thirds cameras. Time and technology march on.

06-18-2013, 09:20 PM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Biro Yes, it looks like ISO 800 is no problem and ISO 1600 in a pinch. It wasn't that many years ago that people said the same thing about the first generation of micro four-thirds cameras. Time and technology march on. And not too much before then that people were saying it about dSLRs.

06-18-2013, 10:10 PM	#6
anthony mazzeri Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 312	I know this is a test for ISO, but unlike other compacts (even including the MX-1) a major feature of the Q is it has a hotshoe and this is the sort of shot you would use a bounce flash for. So technically the specs are you can shoot perfectly sharp natural images at ISO 100 with the Q in even the most dimly lit and even near pitch black rooms whenever you need to without the garish P&S wash-out fill flash results you even have to put up with on a RX100 or Nikon J1.

06-19-2013, 01:03 AM	#7
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Are these downscaled full size images or crops?

06-19-2013, 01:21 AM	#8
sunny16 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 309	Originally posted by anthony mazzeri I know this is a test for ISO, but unlike other compacts (even including the MX-1) a major feature of the Q is it has a hotshoe and this is the sort of shot you would use a bounce flash for. So technically the specs are you can shoot perfectly sharp natural images at ISO 100 with the Q in even the most dimly lit and even near pitch black rooms whenever you need to without the garish P&S wash-out fill flash results you even have to put up with on a RX100 or Nikon J1. Has Pentax released a flash sized for the Q? I mean, it's all well that it makes people happy that there's a hot shoe (a common knock on the MX-1) and I realize that you could put a "full sized" flash on it... but a Pentax or Metz flash would be twice as large/heavy as the camera itself and would seem pretty off-balanced. Maybe this is something Pentax can address in the near future?

06-19-2013, 01:30 AM	#9
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	oh noes. justification for the temptation... ... seems I'm going to go on a biscuits diet for next month for this... lol

06-19-2013, 02:24 AM	#10
wanderography Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hayward, California, USA Posts: 567	Originally posted by sunny16 Has Pentax released a flash sized for the Q? I mean, it's all well that it makes people happy that there's a hot shoe (a common knock on the MX-1) and I realize that you could put a "full sized" flash on it... but a Pentax or Metz flash would be twice as large/heavy as the camera itself and would seem pretty off-balanced. Maybe this is something Pentax can address in the near future? why bother, most people who use a flash are gonna trigger it anyways, a flash trigger on top of the Q is a very tiny portrait package.

06-19-2013, 07:29 AM	#11
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Thanks for the samples. Practically, with a Prime 01 which is already very good at at f2 and f4 and lots of DOF already available, the user can actually 'get back' 1-2 more stops from the f5.6 that was used in these examples. Basically, that means in real use, at ISO800, f2 and maybe a hand holdable or with bracing shutter speed of 1/15 (very small light camera btw), it can make do in many indoor shots w/o going much higher in ISO. Of course if one's tolerance is ISO1600 as shown in the samples above, then thats even better.

06-19-2013, 07:36 AM	#12
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Thanks for feeding us some Q7 info so quickly Adam. While these are good examples, there were taken with poor indoor light. I am wondering how the same comparison would look in bright outdoor light as that is how I usually shoot. I'm thinking examples in such light may bring even better results.

06-19-2013, 07:42 AM	#15
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by Adam I'll post some more today, along with other samples. Great Adam - I wasn't trying to rush you - I did read where you will have more time over the weekend to do these things.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search