Pentax Q7 Review

Compared to the Q

Pentax Q7 vs QPentax Q7 (left) and Pentax Q (right)

On this page we will compare the Pentax Q7 with its 1/1.7" sensor to the original Pentax Q which has a 1/2.3" sensor. In more understandable terms perhaps, the sensor dimensions are:

Megapixels
Sensor Width (mm)
Sensor Height (mm)
Sensor Area (mm2)
Pentax Q7 12.0 7.4 5.6 41
Pentax Q 12.0 6.17 4.55 28

The sensor area of the Q7 is 50% larger than that of the Q, so one would expect a noticeable if not significant improvement in resolution and noise characteristics.

We may repeat ourselves a bit on this page in order to ensure that it can be read on its own.

Resolution

Below we show 100% crops from our test chart at low ISO in order to illustrate the difference in resolution between the Q7 and the Q. The images were shot in RAW and no post-processing was applied. The chart was shot at such a distance that 8 means 1600 line pairs per millimeter, etc. Drag the slider to compare the Q7 and the Q.  The focal length was the same in both sets of photos; we used the 02 standard zoom lens.

ISO 100 (Q7 only)
ISO 125
ISO 200

Resolution in a Real-life Scene

In the next comparative test we used a Sigma 150mm F2.8 full-frame lens with an adapter for the Q-mount. The lens was set to F5.6 and the setup was not moved in between shots.

The scene

These images were shot in RAW, processed in Adobe Camera Raw and smart sharpened in Photoshop CS6 100%, radius 0.9. Drag the slider to compare the images.

The extra resolving power of the Q7 is evident here.  Even though the Q7 has a smaller crop factor compared to the Q, it actually does better in terms of detail, even if the equivalent 35mm focal length results in a smaller value (above, Q7 EFL = 675mm, Q EFL = 840mm).  We're sure this will come as welcome news for Q users who enjoy adapting long lenses.

High-ISO Noise

The following boat scene was shot in JPG with the default noise reduction settings. The light was tungsten and auto white balance was used. Click on a thumbnail to browse 100% crops from the images.

ISO
Q7
Q
100
125
200
400
800
1600
3200
6400
12800

As we can see, ISO 800 is very clean and ISO 1600 is still nice on the Q7. Even ISO 3200 is useable without any post-processing.

As a side bonus we notice that the Q7 handles white balance in auto mode better than the Q (both cameras were set to the same settings).

Bokeh

Because the Q7 has a larger sensor, it has a shallower depth of field than the Q at equivalent fields of view.  This opens up new close-up possibilities, especially at short focal lengths (the difference, however, isn't huge).

Image Quality Verdict: Q7 vs. Q

The Q7 represents a noticeable improvement over the Q and allows one to use up to a stop of higher ISO values for comparable image quality in addition to having a lower minimum and higher maximum sensitivity. The Q7 images are very clean up to ISO 800 and good at ISO 1600, a level of quality that was once unimaginable from such a small sensor.  The Q7's sensor captures more detail than that of the Q, something that can be observed with just about any lens.  Finally, the Q7 is less prone to diffraction, which sets in about half a stop later than with the Q.

Our findings on this page also support the general consensus that larger sensor size equals better image quality.

Physical Comparison

Click on the thumbnails below to view the Q7 and the Q side-by-side.  The cameras (nearly) share the same dimensions and weight.

Feature Comparison

In terms of features, as you've probably seen in the specifications and on earlier pages of this review, the Q7 and the Q are very similar.  The Q7 does have a few new things, however; below is a list of what's new in the Q7.

  • Electronic level
  • Native Eye-fi support
  • Facelifted menu system
  • Faster autofocus
  • Redesigned live view AF point display
  • Manual video controls while recording
  • Video AF on demand
  • More video framerate options
  • Faster overall performance

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