Pentax Q-S1 Review

High-ISO Performance

For our high-ISO noise tests, we shot the scene below using a tripod in RAW+ mode.  The original photos from this test can be found here.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/iso.jpgHigh-ISO Noise Test Scene

Below are 100% crops of the camera's JPEG files, with noise reduction set to Auto.  Refer to the DNG files linked above for RAW results; in RAW mode, it is possible to recover more detail, but the same general findings still apply.

100 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
200 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
400 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
800 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
1600 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
3200 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
6400 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG
12800 http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/1161/IMGP9320.JPG

As you can see, additional noise becomes discernible as soon as the ISO is increased above 100, even in well-lit portions of the image.  Noise increases steadily until ISO 1600, where it becomes much more apparent and eats away at a considerable amount of detail.  We therefore consider ISO 1600 to be a break point that you'll want to stay below.  Hand-held low-light photos shot at ISO 3200 or higher will require heavy scaling to continue looking good.  In addition, at higher ISOs, you'll see much more noise when attempting to increase the exposure in RAW noise.

As an example, this hand-held ISO 3200 photo below, which we shot with the Pentax Q7, could not be scaled larger than about 600 pixels wide before noise and lack of detail became apparent.

Noise Verdict

Like the Q7, the Q-S1 has an 0.5 to 1-stop advantage over the earlier Q-series bodies thanks to its larger sensor.   The 1/1.7" sensor still struggles at high ISOs at night, but it now lets you comfortably shoot at up to ISO 800 without thinking twice.  Higher ISOs can be used with a bit of effort in post at the cost of resolution.

One deceptive thing about this camera is that most of the photos taken with it look exceptionally good on the rear LCD, even at high ISOs.  We therefore recommend that you zoom in on your images to ensure that the noise levels are to your satisfaction.

Image Quality Verdict

Given the hardware that the Q-S1 has to work with as well as its small size, it actually performs quite well.  When used with the right lenses, the Q-S1 can without a doubt be used to capture print-quality images wherever your travels may take you.  Its main weak point is its resolution, as you can't expect to do much cropping when shooting distant objects.  Also, the camera isn't ideal for nighttime photography (unless you have a tripod), as photos shot at ISO 1600 and above tend to be overwhelmed by noise.  The Q-S1 has a tendency to blow highlights, so we recommend enabling highlight alerts in playback mode and re-shooting with exposure compensation as needed. Lastly, like other compact cameras, the Q-S1 suffers from issues associated with compact lenses; the 02 kit lens for the Q is especially prone to flare and fringing.  Choosing the right lens and employing the right technique is key to success with the Q family of cameras.

If you're looking for a DSLR replacement, the Q-S1 would probably not be the right choice.  However, as a compact go-anywhere camera, you can keep it with you at all times and never miss a photo opportunity again!

We invite you to refer to the sample photo page or download full-size files to see for yourself what the Q-S1 is (and isn't) capable of doing.


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