2nd-gen micro mirrorless PENTAX Q10
A review and photo examples of the Pentax Q10 interchangeable lens mirrorless digital camera.
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Table of contents
Gallery
The lenses used in the example photos are as follows:
Review
1．Overview: Differences from the successor Q7
The Pentax Q7 is the second generation of the Pentax Q series of interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras.
The size of the image sensor, the heart of a digital camera, was 1/2.3 inches (6.2mm x 4.7mm = 29mm2) in the first Q and its predecessor, the Q10, but was changed to 1/1.7 inches (7.5mm x 5.6mm = 42mm2) in its successors, the Q7 and Q-S1.
The Q10 has a sensor area 0.7 times (0.690 times to be exact) smaller than the Q7, and the coefficient for converting the focal length to a 35mm format is about 5.5 times. Compared to the Q7 and Q-S1, the cropping effect is greater than in 35mm format images, resulting in a more enlarged image of the subject. This will be an advantage for macro photography of flowers, insects, animals, and other photography that emphasizes the telephoto side.
The only unique feature of the Q10 is that the body color is available in an Evangelion image color. It was sold in three colors: Shinji’s purple, Rei’s white, and Asuka’s red. The start-up screen was different from the original, and it seems that new ones remained on the market for quite some time after its release. In the end, even though they used the Leica-like method of making limited editions, this camera did not seem to be popular with the general public.
The specific focal lengths in 35mm format are listed in the dedicated lens at the link, but for example, in the case of the standard lens 01 Standard prime with a focal length of 8.5mm, the focal length in 35mm format is equivalent to 47mm for the Q and Q10, and 38.7mm for the Q7 and Q-S1.
The recording media is compatible with SDXC cards, which have the largest capacity of the SD cards, so another advantage of this camera is that there is no problem with the availability of recording media on the market.
The model number of the included battery is D-LI68 *1, and later, for unknown reasons, the model number was changed to D-LI122 *1. Fujifilm’s NP-50 and NP-50A *1 and Kodak’s KLIC-7004 *1 also have the same shape.
A common feature of the Pentax Q series is that the camera body does not have a mechanical shutter; the 01, 02, 06, and 08 are equipped with a leaf shutter. Other toy lenses use the camera’s sensor shutter for shooting. The “K Mount Lens Adapter Q *1”, which allows Pentax K mount lenses to be used with this camera, is equipped with a shutter mechanism in the mount adapter, making it a truly luxurious adapter.
2．Usability
I ordered the PENTAX Q10 in a custom mint and black finish. It’s a shame I missed out on the custom mint 01 STANDARD PRIME, which was also available at the same time.
I did get the Sky 01 STANDARD PRIME, although the color is slightly different.
If you’re looking to buy a used Q-series camera, you’ll probably be wondering how the Q10 compares to the Q7, but I don’t see any clear differences between them in terms of operation or image quality.
As mentioned above, the Q10 has a 35mm equivalent magnification of approximately 5.5x, which is higher than the Q7’s approximately 4.6x, making it well-suited for uses that emphasize the telephoto end.
The only clear disadvantage of the Q and Q10 compared to their successors, the Q7 and Q-S1, is the lack of an electronic level. However, if you’re skilled enough to display a grid on the LCD screen and shoot at the correct level or at any angle, the lack of an electronic level won’t be an inconvenience.
For more information other than the above, please refer to the link below for more details.
・Link to PENTAX Q7
3．Summary
In conclusion , to sum up the PENTAX Q10, although it has a slightly smaller sensor than the PENTAX Q7, there is no difference in image quality. It does not have an electronic level, but this can be avoided with some ingenuity when shooting.
Used PENTAX Q10s are often priced lower than the PENTAX Q7 and PENTAX Q-S1, making it a good camera body for trying out micromirrorless cameras.
Specification
| Items | Q | Q10 | Q7 | Q-S1 |
| Number of pixels | 12.4 megapixels | ← | ← | ← |
| Sensor type | CMOS | ← | ← | ← |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3 | ← | 1/1.7 | ← |
| Image Stabilization | Image sensor shift method | ← | ← | ← |
| Back LCD size | 3 | ← | ← | ← |
| Back LCD | 460,000 dots | ← | ← | ← |
| Electronic Leveler | None | ← | Exist | ← |
| Battery | D-LI68 | ← | ← | ← |
| Record media | SD、SDHC、SDXC | ← | ← | ← |
| Size(mm) W x H x D | 98 × 57.5 × 31 | 102.0 × 58.0 × 33.5 | ← | 105.0 × 58.0 × 34.0 |
| Weight (g) *1: Main unit only *2: Battery + media | 180 *1 200 *2 | ← | ← | 183 *1 203 *2 |
| Release date | 2011.8.31 | 2012.10.12 | 2013.7.5 | 2014.8.28 |
| Body color | Black White Silver(limited) | Order Color Evangelion Color x3 | 120 Order Color | 40 color variations |
Options
- Waterproof remote control O-RC1
- Auto flash AF201FG
- Auto flash AF200FG
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery D-LI68
- Battery charger kit K-BC115J
- Camera bag O-CB133
- Camera case (with strap) O-CC131
- Soft case O-CC1333
- Camera case (with front) O-CC133
- K-mount lens adapter Q
Pentax Q Lenes
| Number | Lens name | Focal length | Q10 | Q7 | PPrice(Yen/No-tax) |
| 01 | STANDARD PRIME | 8.5 | 47 | 39 | 17,000- |
| 02 | STANDARD ZOOM | 5〜15 | 27.5〜82.5 | 23〜69 | 25,000- |
| 03 | FISH EYE | 3.2 | 17.6 | 16.5 | 10,000- |
| 04 | TOY-WIDE ZOOM | 6.3 | 35 | 33 | 6,000- |
| 05 | TOY-TELE PHOTO ZOOM | 18 | 99 | 94 | 6,000- |
| 06 | TELE PHOTO ZOOM | 15〜45 | 82.5〜247.5 | 69〜207 | 14,000- |
| 07 | SHEILD | 11.5 | 63 | 53 | 3,000- |
| 08 | WIDE ZOOM | 3.8〜5.9 | 21〜32 | 17.5〜27 | 40,000- |
| Ms-optics | Sonnetar 25mm F1.1 | 25 | 137.5 | 115 | 48,000- |
Patent pending lenses
| Patent Publication Number | Name (author’s guess) | Focal length | Aperture | Q10 | Q7 | |
| Patent Publication No. 2016-4093 (P2016-4093A) January 12, 2016 (January 12, 2016) | WIDE PRIME | 4.20 *3 | 1.8 | 23 | 19 | |
| Patent Publication No. 2014-109711 (P2014-109711A) June 12, 2014 (June 12, 2014) | WIDE PRIME | 4.40 *3 | 1.4 | 24 | 20 | |
| Patent Publication No. 2015-4717 (P2015-4717A) January 8, 2015 (January 8, 2015) | TELEPHOTO MACRO | 18.0 *3 | 2.8 | 99 | 83 | |
| Patent Publication No. 2014-81457 (P2014-81457A) May 8, 2014 (May 8, 2014) | TELEPHOTO PRIME | 44.65 *3 | 1.8 | 249 | 205 |
Reference links
Affiliate link
Update history
- 2025.8.24
- 2024.9.15
- 2024.06.18
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