Originally posted by Painter No the lenses dont cover more than the current 1/1.7" but that sensor size has seen major developments due to cell phones. There are sensors of the same size that outperform the one in the Q-S1
This doesn't mean a one-inch sensor couldn't be used in a new Q. I'm pretty sure we've determined that the Q lens circle can cover a 2/3 sensor, similar to that used in Fuji's compacts up to and including the X30. Why not go with that and use the extra sensor real estate in order to allow multi-aspect functionality, a la Panasonic LX100 with its larger 4/3 sensor?
Of course, Ricoh could also go with the latest-generation 1/1.7" sensor, which as others have posted, have been developed for phone cameras. The 1/1.7" sensors in both my Q-S1 and Olympus Stylus 1 give very good results.