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    Q-S1
    A 12-megapixel camera from Pentax with a 2.9-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom, an image stabilizer and manual controls.
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    Description
    A 12-megapixel camera from Pentax with a 2.9-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom, an image stabilizer and manual controls.
    Become a member to compare products & get access to digital ratings.
    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    Become a member to compare products & get access to ratings.

    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    Become a member to compare products & get access to ratings.

    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    CR Expert Take

    How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

    Overall Score

    The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.
    Unlock ratingswith membership.
    Current Range of Tested Mirrorless cameras
    What goes into the Overall Score?
    Image quality
     /  5
    Ease of use
     /  5
    Video quality
     /  5
    LCD quality
     /  5
    Viewfinder
     /  5
    Flash photos
     /  5
    Image stabilization
     /  5
    Sensor types
     /  5
    Battery life (shots)
     /  5
    4K video
     /  5
    WiFi
     /  5
    Test lens
     /  5
    Megapixels
     /  5
    Weight (oz.)
     /  5

    Detailed Test Results

    PHOTO QUALITY. This 12-megapixel mirrorless camera captured images with good quality. Pictures were sharp, which means you can see most details and subtle patterns in the image. In low-light situations without a flash, pictures were sharp. We judged this model excellent for outdoor performance, such as shooting landscapes in the daytime; very good for indoor performance, such as photographing a well-lit basketball game in a gym; very good for performance under natural light without a flash, such as shooting under an overcast sky; and very good for low-light performance without a flash, such as capturing a birthday party. Photos taken in our low-light performance tests displayed some image noise; subjects retained some of their correct detail and color.

    FLASH. The Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) with the 5-15mm kit lens captured flash shots that were good. In our distance test, we found the camera's flash could illuminate subjects very well, both near and far. The flash also has very good, even coverage.

    LENS. This camera has a standard 3x optical zoom lens. The lens also has wide-angle (27.5mm) capability that's useful for landscapes and group portraits, although you may notice a bit of distortion when you're shooting faces up close, for instance.

    IMAGE STABILIZER. This is an important feature; taking hand-held shots at the telephoto end of the zoom range can generally blur or soften images due to the slight movement of your hands. In low-light settings, it performed very well and rarely produced blurry photos.

    SPEED. In terms of performance, the Pentax Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) powers up very quickly.

    VIDEO. The Pentax Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) takes very good video, at a quality like many in its class. It captures full HD video at 1920 x 1080. As for sound, it captures very good audio in mono.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. It has HDR (high-dynamic range) settings. Unlike most mirrorlesss, this camera does not include a viewfinder, which means you'll need to rely on the LCD to compose your photo or video. Like all cameras of this kind, it can capture RAW files, which gives you the most flexibility when manipulating image files with software, and has a hot shoe for attaching an external flash (generally sold separately). This mirrorless is thinner than most in its class.

    About

    The Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) is a 12-megapixel camera with a kit lens that has a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27.5mm-83mm. It has a 2.9-inch LCD (460,000 pixels). Because it accepts interchangeable lenses but does not have a mirror and through-the-lens viewfinder, we consider this model a mirrorless SLR-like camera. The camera's kit lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The camera's shutter speed range is 30 seconds to 1/2000 of a second. The Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) stores photos and video on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards but has no on-board storage. It captures images as JPEG or RAW files at a top resolution of 4000 x 3000 and full HD-resolution video as MOV files at a top resolution of 1920 x 1080. This mirrorless has 49 autofocus points, 26 exposure modes, and an exposure compensation control that can be set at +/-3 EV. It has exposure bracketing, which allows you to take multiple exposures of a single scene. It has a high-dynamic-range mode, which helps capture as much tonal range possible. The image stabilization system for this camera is mechanical. The Q-S1 + Standard ZOOM 5-15 mm 1:2.8-4.5 ED AL (IF) measures 4.3 inches wide by 2.3 inches high by 1.4 inches deep, and weighs 8 ounces (with battery, memory card, and strap).

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