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Love my Pentax Q cameras. I've managed to "collect them all" with the lenses, got all but the bodycap lens. I had the original Q in 2012 and, predictably, sold it and regretted it. Got to S1's now. The pop up flash is my fave too haha
I love everything about the Q-S1... apart from the image quality. For me, it's just not quite there. But it's undeniably a super super fun camera to shoot with and Pentax NAILED the handling and features 😙👌
@@fabfob90 one possibility is that the adapter is not turning all the way to the fully locked position on the Q. Does anything stick out and hit the Q’s Quick Dial? That will keep the adapter from fully turning. I had that happen with an M4/3 to Q adapter; I needed to remove a set screw for the lens and reinsert it once I had the adapter fully locked. A second possibility is a quality problem with the adapter; some C and D mount adapters are really junk. Well-known brands are safe, but some generic adapters are worthless. I hope this helps. 📷
Why is the smallest interchangable lens camera disputed? Hasn't someone dunked them in water to calculate displaced water 's cubic centimeters? It's not that ambiguous, they are physical objects with measurable dimensions.
Some of the Pentax Q models are larger or smaller than the Panasonic GM1 but the GM1 is heavier than any of them, and then the MFT lenses are bigger than any of the equivalent Pentax Q lenses. Volume by water displacement seems an excellent idea. Please immerse your cameras in a bucket and let us know the results ;)
@@jeffslade1892 if i can become a youtube channel which earns its money by reviewing cameras etc, then i'll do that for sure because then it'll be a business expense. but i am hobbyist who only has two cameras which are bigger aps-c models.
I've been looking at the Q, but just haven't found "the one" yet. Nice review! I was surprised to hear you say the Nikon 1 series used microSD, thinking you were mistaken, then saw you pictured the J5. Apparently, they shifted in the later models, because the J1, S1 and V1 all use full size SD cards.
Id love to see some beginner focused videos - such as what types of photography is there? how to set up a camera before shooting etc etc. I just picked up a camera to hopefully find a new hobby that makes me want to go outdoors and explore a bit. Are there any subjects you would recommend a beginner shoot to get a feel for photography?
Thanks for the suggestion! I am planning on releasing some more instructional style videos soon, but I'm trying to find a format that doesn't feel like the thousands of other "how to" photography videos on YT. So, bear with me on that one. As for photography mediums to try, honestly, as a beginner, just shoot anything and everything! A lot of finding out what you do and don't like to photograph will come from just trying it out. Street photography and landscapes/nature are arguably the most easily accessible ones though. Hope this helps and good luck!
@@TomCalton I’d love to know any tips you may have for getting over that really awkward feeling of taking pictures of people in public. I also think finding a forum for feedback from those in the know would be fantastic for us newbies. Like a discord server for example. I think whatever you produce will be fantastic and would be full of brilliant ideas. Cheers :)
The Pentax Q is such a fun (but very capable!) little camera; I'm so glad I was able to find a great set with quite a few lenses on eBay a while back. I can fit a camera with two zooms, a fisheye lens, a manual telelens and a lens-bodycap plus some batteries all in one (rather big) pocket of my photography vest! :-)
Danke für das Video. Die Pentax Q stand lange auf meiner Wunschliste. Erworben hatte ich dann mehrere Nikon 1 Kameras. Sie wurden als Gelegenheit beim Fotohändler günstig angeboten. So habe ich die V1, V2, V3. Habe viele Objektive und Adapter für andere Systeme. Freude macht die Verwendung mit dem elektronischen Sucher an der V3. Ein Kamerasystem das unbeschwertes Fotografieren ermöglicht. Es gab in der Vergangenheit einen kostenlosen Service von Nikon für fehlerhafte (Blende) Objektive, der aber inzwischen eingestellt wurde.
The menu and button layout you're so complimentary of is pretty similar to any pentax camera-- i spent a couple of years part timing as a concert/event photographer with a K-3 m1, so that was my bread and butter. I've been going through transitioning to sony, and i thought it might just be because i trained myself on the pentax buttons and menu that i found it intuitive, but maybe not?
Fun little camera, still have the original house. It can basically take any manual lens that exists, including CCTV 8mm, Pentax 110 system or Sunex/GoPro lenses but the real fun is putting a vintage full-frame tele like a 300 mm, with the approx 5x crop factor it gives you a 1500mm eq, thats a full moon close up! Also the dedicated filter selector in the front is a real gem as is emulates some desirable cross process filters and you can skip the editing in post. Another benefit of the small sensor is when making macro images as you get more depth of field.
Ian Norman over on Lonely Speck did a phenomenal video showcasing how this is actually a really good and compact camera line for moon photography with compact telescopes. I have a patio telescope with an equivalent full frame focal length of 1200mm and throwing my little original Q on there means I can see crisp details of the moon. It’s fairly fun! I had a Q with the 5-15, 8, and 15-45 lenses but sold them a while back in a sticky time. Bought another Q body only and have enjoyed adapting the Pentax auto 110 lenses to it, such a compact system! Downside is only electronic shutter on the Q with adapted lenses so exposure can be interesting.
I feel like you're the devil on my shoulder for G.A.S. // You're a really fun guy to watch, Tom. Loved this video and I am grateful you walked us through it. And you're so right. The color combos most certainly make flipping through ebay a bit more fun. :)
Sorry Chris! 🤣😈 Despite me fueling your addictions, I appreciate you sticking around anyway and showing your support! Really means a lot and I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊
I bought a Q10 and when it needed a warranty repair they replaced it with a Q7. I have the systems standard zoom , prime and a fisheye. That along with an m42 adapter, c/y adapter and Canon EF adapter has me able to use my choice of 20 of my old 35mm and my 3 EOS Canon lenses. I also have the adapter for any CCTV c-mount and one of the Fujian 25mm 1.4f lens with macro tubes. I also have a Canon T6, S9000 and S5200 Fujifilm cameras but I only use them when required.
I have and love the Q and Q10, bought once they went into stock clearance for less than €200 around 2014! Went home with the first and my wife exclaimed she had to have one, the only gadget she ever reacted to! I actually got the 06 lens off Aliexpress for less than €100! its my favorite lens, a 15-45mm ( 85-250mm equivalent) Tele-zoom at constant f2.8, amaizing!!! Main down side for the models I own is you need to maintain the battery charged. It doesn't last too long in use or not. My wife didn't and the internal onboard battery died rendering it useless. I did buy her another Q from Japan and now swap out batteries ever 6 weeks or so if not used.
Haha. I received Q7 and 06 lens 4 hours ago from Japan. What a coincidence. Paid a lot. I will test drive tomorrow. Could you tell us the name of the site at 4:16? Thank you.
I have always loved the Q series, but never got around to purchasing one. It would have been ideal as it uses the same menu system as my other Pentax cameras from the K-7 to the K-1, so very easy for me to navigate. Interesting note, Pentax made an official Q-K mount adapter, so you could fit the, say the wonderful DA*300mm F4 lens on the front. Which means an equivalence of 1,680mm on the original Q and 1,380mm on the Q7. Sadly without AF (Oh Pentax, you missed a trick there). It would have looked insanely silly, but immense fun to try. Mind you, the Q with just the 100mm Macro would be a glorious compact nature combination. Now to find a Q7 with the 8.5, 5-15 and 15-45 lenses..........
Maybe I'm wrong in thinking this, but I always consider the GM5 to be a different lineage to the GM1. Maybe it's the inclusion of an EVF and the slightly larger size? Who knows. It just doesn't feel like it's the same animal as the GM1 🤷🏻♂️
The un-edited video has a really nice retro feel judging by your sample. I've been looking for a Lomo-ish video camera solution. This might be it. Regarding noise: I predict a HUGE trend to bring some analog noise back to photography. Just go back and look at old 60-70s films and photographs + vintage BW art photos: the equivellent to vinyl records. I love it. The main issue is mic-ing limitations. Guess I'll have to dub V.O., badly synched with some pops in the soundtrack. LOL. Thank you!
I have this one. If this camera has a proper viewfinder (optical or digital), it would be my first picked camera for some reasons. But because of missing of this, my first pick is Fuji for now.
This was my very first ILC. This makes me feel very nostalgic. Would Pentax ever resurrect this concept? It would sell like hot cakes if it has half decent specs.
Thanks Tom. Your videos are informative and entertaining. I found them while looking for a new pocket camera. One thing I've noticed you mention a few times is that you believe MicroSD cards are somehow slower or inferior to full-size SD cards. Given they are functionally the same, I don't understand how this is possible. I use MicroSD cards much more than SD cards and I've never had any issues as long as I met the specs for the applications speed requirements (mostly V30 for everything for the last few years). So please help me understand what I'm missing. Cheers mate!
If only they started with Q7 with that larger sensor. But with that premium price and first cameras with 1/2.3" sensor it was failed from start. Toy lenses also did some share putting this system into some "toy for fun" category in eyes of most photographers. The problem is that one could simply buy Olympus XZ-2 or Stylus1 and have the 1/1.7" BSI CMOS paired with excellent fast lens in compact stabilized body with tilting LCD and still cost less. XZ-2 also has optional EVF and Stylus1 has one built-in.
I've never had an Olympus XZ-2. However… Pentax also sold the MX-1, which shared a lens and other components with the Olympus XZ-2. I had a MX-1, but never liked it. I found the MX-1's lens disappointing, and its operation was painfully slow (not enough processor power, I guess). On build and features one might argue the Fujifilm X20 clobbered them all, but I still get better image quality out of the Q7 than from the X20. Something about the Q7's sensor, Pentax firmware and the lenses came together just right for that chef's kiss.
Biggest issue with all these tiny MILC systems are the fact that they lack array of good lenses, most of them are everyday zooms only usable in daylight, almost none have good primes. Your only option is to adapt them, in that sense, the Nikon 1 series of cameras are just better overall, its better value because people have not caught on yet, they are also more readily available, there more adapters for them including C-mount which gives you a good selection of lenses to work with, my favourite being East German Zeiss-Jena are perfect for this. Samsung NX-mini is also pretty neat because of its focus peaking but they are overpriced and hard to get these days.
With the Q system, the 01 (normal prime), 06 (telephoto zoom) and 08 (wide zoom) are all you really need. Unfortunately, the 08 was expensive from the beginning and is hard to find now. But on Q7 and Q-S1 with their slightly bigger sensors, the 02 standard kit zoom does go pretty wide.
Cool because of the quirky lens adaptation bit. I'd rather go with a better canera and just use the endless options for M42 and such. But still, the handling on this one is bound to appeal to some people. Looks like a lot of fun.
Being able to use D-mount lenses is super fun and ended up being the main draw for me. The handling was a surprise - it's one of the most thoughtfully designed cameras I've ever tested. And that's not a statement I expected to make for a camera so small. But, if I could only pick 1 tiny camera, I think I'd probably go for the GM1 👀
bought a pink Q10 in 2016 with an 02 lens for £80, followed by a white Q, black Q10 and silver Q7. an 01, four 02s, an 03, 05, and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases four chargers, fifteen batteries and a couple of remotes, and I am now into it for a little over £600. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters, and we are all having fun. The month after I bought the first Q10 a Q came up with all eight lenses for under £350, foolishly I passed on it. An 08 lens cost twice that much at the moment. I'm happy with what I have, I don't feel the need to buy any other still camera.
Note that Panasonic made the GM5 as a follow up to the GM1 so that was not a one off. I have both and they are fun for street and travel. Keep up the great content!!
I always felt like the GM5 was the bigger brother to the GM1 rather than a successor - hence we saying the GM1 was a one off. But I'm probably wrong about that. Thanks for the comment and support 🙂
@@TomCaltondirect replacement with a near identical size. Keep kicking myself for not picking up a GM1 when they were £150ish just a few years ago and the GM5s were either side of £300. All highly inflated prices now just because the manufacturers decided full frame was where people seemed to spend their money and didn’t look at the secondhand market probably being a lot more varied.
The pentax q reminds me of the nikon 1 cameras. Only i found the handling on the nikon 1 horrible, had never the chance to hold a pentax q in my hands though. The pentax looks in that regard, far better. I saw a dedicated iso button!
This Camera is FUN! To each their own but the photos to me are unique. I like the noise. The grain. The flash and ND Filter in the day time. I have the original Pentax Q. I collect specific unique cameras by sensor size and it’s the ONLY interchangeable lens camera with a 1/2.3 sensor. It’s an amazing camera. If you’re complaining then go buy a bigger sensor camera or something.
Pentax makes some awesome cameras, with some eccentric design ideas (The K-01...) Sadly their QC needs a bit of work and after 3 bodies died on me within a 4 year period, I transitioned to Fujifilm.
They are indeed. I am lucky that none of my Pentax bodies have failed so far, and I really miss my "Brick" aka the K-01. What an odd camera to look at, but I loved to use. Sadly someone decided a few years back to access my home uninvited and acquire my K-01 accordingly (amongst others)
@@TheOffertonhatter Awww that sucks. I loved the K-01, and used it for many amazing macro shots. A brick it was, but it fit my large hands amazingly well.
Yes, the Pentax Q cameras look good. But I always wondered what the point of them was. Especially those with a 1/2.3" sensor. There are compact cameras with brighter optics.
The Nikon j5 is the same weight as the Pentax q7 and has a vastly better feature set { larger sensor, better AF, fps, buffer etc } , I think cult following is a bit of a stretch outside a small niche of mainly Japanese users . I started with Pentax film cameras like a lot of others though I have not used a Pentax digital, they definitely dance to their own tune , long may they continue 😀
My wish would be for a Super Q with a EVF and some computational photography tech borrowed from today's smart phones. And if it's not quite so tiny, I'd be okay with that, because "world smallest" was a bit of a marketing gimmick after all.
Great little cameras, I can see why they are popular. But £200+ for a 12MP camera with a tiny 5.6 crop factor sensor seems crazy. Considering this puts them in the same price range as something like a Canon EOS M which has an 18MP APS-C sensor.
wait so if it has a leaf shutter built into the lenses it should be capable of a very wide range of flash sync speeds which could help mitigate the poor low light performance for the cost of this typical flash photography look
"I am perfectly happy shooting at f5.6 now". Proceeds to discuss a camera that that starts to show diffraction at f5.6. Actually, I love my Q cameras (especially Bold Monochrome mode). I even found a MS Optical Sonnetar 25mm f1.1 lens for them.
I love my Nikon j5, and don't care what the internet thinks about it (they are all wrong!) Small cameras are great. Edit - Also I think the J5 was the only one of the series to use a micro SD card, all the others used full size. They were a little larger though.
I have a X20 and there's much to like about it, but my Q7 produces better image quality-for reasons that I'm not sure about. Also, I am more comfortable with the Pentax controls and firmware.
Reckon Nikon 1 series were far more capable and better lens selection - and in fact had AF tracking performance that outclassed DSLRs for over a decade
In my experience my Q7 produces better image quality than any of the old digicams I've tried, even the more premium ones like the Fujifilm XF1 or the X20. I think most of the difference comes down to the lenses.
The Sony nex-5 series (5n, 5r, 5T) is barely larger in size 110 vs. 105 mm wide, only .8mm taller and 4mm in depth. But you get an APC 16mp sensor. If you have not scene it, I encourage you to go hold one. Sony started the mirrorless market because it gave them the opportunity to create small interchangeable cameras.
Yeah and it uses the Sony E mount with a wide variety of Sony and third-party lenses to choose from. So, the Sony NEX line is an extremely good budget option for beginners. I use the Sony Nex 6 myself :)
this is one of the smallest apsc camera's i know of and to be honest i am still hoping sony would bring out an updated version, so the autofocus and maybe the video features would be a touch better. the rest of this camera is perfect for me. yes there is no build in evf or hotshoe but if you don't use that much this camera is great! aspecially the flip up touch screen on the 5r and 5t are an great addition to this little camera!
You are a bit late, these been overpriced for a while, Nikon 1 systems with adapted lenses are quite nice, the Samsung NX-mini is also overrated these days and sell for way too much money.
You realise you don't have to watch everything I make, right? I mean, it'd be appreciated if you did, but if it's too much for you personally then just ignore the stuff that doesn't interest you. Thanks for the feedback.
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Love my Pentax Q cameras. I've managed to "collect them all" with the lenses, got all but the bodycap lens. I had the original Q in 2012 and, predictably, sold it and regretted it. Got to S1's now. The pop up flash is my fave too haha
@@MicroFourNerds your videos and mattias' made me get a pentax q. So fun, thank you
I love everything about the Q-S1... apart from the image quality. For me, it's just not quite there. But it's undeniably a super super fun camera to shoot with and Pentax NAILED the handling and features 😙👌
I knew you'd be here! 🙂 📸
can anyone of you help me?
When I mount the adapter ring with an 8mm lens, I only get a black screen and cannot access the menu.
@@fabfob90 one possibility is that the adapter is not turning all the way to the fully locked position on the Q. Does anything stick out and hit the Q’s Quick Dial? That will keep the adapter from fully turning. I had that happen with an M4/3 to Q adapter; I needed to remove a set screw for the lens and reinsert it once I had the adapter fully locked. A second possibility is a quality problem with the adapter; some C and D mount adapters are really junk. Well-known brands are safe, but some generic adapters are worthless. I hope this helps. 📷
2:14 I think that is quite big
😂
That's what she didn't say... Unfortunately
A big camera with tiny sensor 😂
I love my first generation Q, heavy, well built body, amazingly compact, and i can take closeups of the moon with an adaptor and my 1000mm telephoto
Nice! Glad to hear it still brings you joy 😊
Why is the smallest interchangable lens camera disputed? Hasn't someone dunked them in water to calculate displaced water 's cubic centimeters? It's not that ambiguous, they are physical objects with measurable dimensions.
Some of the Pentax Q models are larger or smaller than the Panasonic GM1 but the GM1 is heavier than any of them, and then the MFT lenses are bigger than any of the equivalent Pentax Q lenses.
Volume by water displacement seems an excellent idea. Please immerse your cameras in a bucket and let us know the results ;)
The smallest one is from I’m back film which is one kickstarter right now. But it’s quit the different ballpark imp
@@jeffslade1892 if i can become a youtube channel which earns its money by reviewing cameras etc, then i'll do that for sure because then it'll be a business expense. but i am hobbyist who only has two cameras which are bigger aps-c models.
@@KopfdesRiesen that's not a camera, that's a sensor stuffed in some shoddy 3d printed junk.
@@KopfdesRiesen it also doesn't exist yet... like 99.999999% of kickstarter are scams that will never actually exist
I've been looking at the Q, but just haven't found "the one" yet. Nice review! I was surprised to hear you say the Nikon 1 series used microSD, thinking you were mistaken, then saw you pictured the J5. Apparently, they shifted in the later models, because the J1, S1 and V1 all use full size SD cards.
Good point - I definitely should have been more clear there. Thanks for bringing it to my attention 🤜🤛
I know it seems like a small difference in absolute numbers but 23% larger sensor size is not such a small bump.
Id love to see some beginner focused videos - such as what types of photography is there? how to set up a camera before shooting etc etc. I just picked up a camera to hopefully find a new hobby that makes me want to go outdoors and explore a bit. Are there any subjects you would recommend a beginner shoot to get a feel for photography?
Thanks for the suggestion! I am planning on releasing some more instructional style videos soon, but I'm trying to find a format that doesn't feel like the thousands of other "how to" photography videos on YT. So, bear with me on that one.
As for photography mediums to try, honestly, as a beginner, just shoot anything and everything! A lot of finding out what you do and don't like to photograph will come from just trying it out. Street photography and landscapes/nature are arguably the most easily accessible ones though. Hope this helps and good luck!
@@TomCalton I’d love to know any tips you may have for getting over that really awkward feeling of taking pictures of people in public. I also think finding a forum for feedback from those in the know would be fantastic for us newbies. Like a discord server for example.
I think whatever you produce will be fantastic and would be full of brilliant ideas.
Cheers :)
Incredible sense of humor, love your reviews mate
Best D-Mount lens imo - 12.7mm f2.8 Bosch & Lomb it’s suuuuper sharp and has great character
Thanks for the tip! 😁
The Pentax Q is such a fun (but very capable!) little camera; I'm so glad I was able to find a great set with quite a few lenses on eBay a while back. I can fit a camera with two zooms, a fisheye lens, a manual telelens and a lens-bodycap plus some batteries all in one (rather big) pocket of my photography vest! :-)
Danke für das Video. Die Pentax Q stand lange auf meiner Wunschliste. Erworben hatte ich dann mehrere Nikon 1 Kameras. Sie wurden als Gelegenheit beim Fotohändler günstig angeboten. So habe ich die V1, V2, V3. Habe viele Objektive und Adapter für andere Systeme. Freude macht die Verwendung mit dem elektronischen Sucher an der V3. Ein Kamerasystem das unbeschwertes Fotografieren ermöglicht. Es gab in der Vergangenheit einen kostenlosen Service von Nikon für fehlerhafte (Blende) Objektive, der aber inzwischen eingestellt wurde.
This toy has always intrigued me. It would be interesting to make an album or 30x45 prints to see the result.
The menu and button layout you're so complimentary of is pretty similar to any pentax camera-- i spent a couple of years part timing as a concert/event photographer with a K-3 m1, so that was my bread and butter. I've been going through transitioning to sony, and i thought it might just be because i trained myself on the pentax buttons and menu that i found it intuitive, but maybe not?
I love my q7 with d-Mount bolex lenses. I’ve shot music videos with it and there are some sharp and quirky lenses from the 40s and 50s
Fun little camera, still have the original house. It can basically take any manual lens that exists, including CCTV 8mm, Pentax 110 system or Sunex/GoPro lenses but the real fun is putting a vintage full-frame tele like a 300 mm, with the approx 5x crop factor it gives you a 1500mm eq, thats a full moon close up! Also the dedicated filter selector in the front is a real gem as is emulates some desirable cross process filters and you can skip the editing in post. Another benefit of the small sensor is when making macro images as you get more depth of field.
Ian Norman over on Lonely Speck did a phenomenal video showcasing how this is actually a really good and compact camera line for moon photography with compact telescopes. I have a patio telescope with an equivalent full frame focal length of 1200mm and throwing my little original Q on there means I can see crisp details of the moon. It’s fairly fun! I had a Q with the 5-15, 8, and 15-45 lenses but sold them a while back in a sticky time. Bought another Q body only and have enjoyed adapting the Pentax auto 110 lenses to it, such a compact system! Downside is only electronic shutter on the Q with adapted lenses so exposure can be interesting.
I have the Q and a pink Q10. Cool little cameras. Rarely use them.
10:38 The Standard Prime and Standard Zoom lenses are the wrong way around in the picture, which caused me a bit of confusion..
Good spot! My apologies for the confusion 🤦🏻♂️
I feel like you're the devil on my shoulder for G.A.S. // You're a really fun guy to watch, Tom. Loved this video and I am grateful you walked us through it. And you're so right. The color combos most certainly make flipping through ebay a bit more fun. :)
Sorry Chris! 🤣😈
Despite me fueling your addictions, I appreciate you sticking around anyway and showing your support! Really means a lot and I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊
I need to unsubscribe and block his page. I’ve already bought two cameras and another two are in my cart as a result of this man. 😂
I bought a Q10 and when it needed a warranty repair they replaced it with a Q7. I have the systems standard zoom , prime and a fisheye. That along with an m42 adapter, c/y adapter and Canon EF adapter has me able to use my choice of 20 of my old 35mm and my 3 EOS Canon lenses. I also have the adapter for any CCTV c-mount and one of the Fujian 25mm 1.4f lens with macro tubes. I also have a Canon T6, S9000 and S5200 Fujifilm cameras but I only use them when required.
Love the Pentax Q system. Got the full set and all the lenses. I'm on my 3rd 06 Telephoto though - they do seem to pack in after a few years.
As a Krakus I love your Kraków preset, but the warm tones only match the summer months here. It gets hella dreary in winter.
I had one of the original Pentax Qs and it was an adorable little thing.
I started my photography journey with this camera
Love this! We need more of this. Only been to japan once and wanted so bad to meet a yakuza
I mean... i would argue the OG pocketable cameras were the digi cams... the Pentax Q really is just a digi cam with interchangable lenses
I have and love the Q and Q10, bought once they went into stock clearance for less than €200 around 2014! Went home with the first and my wife exclaimed she had to have one, the only gadget she ever reacted to!
I actually got the 06 lens off Aliexpress for less than €100! its my favorite lens, a 15-45mm ( 85-250mm equivalent) Tele-zoom at constant f2.8, amaizing!!!
Main down side for the models I own is you need to maintain the battery charged. It doesn't last too long in use or not. My wife didn't and the internal onboard battery died rendering it useless. I did buy her another Q from Japan and now swap out batteries ever 6 weeks or so if not used.
Haha. I received Q7 and 06 lens 4 hours ago from Japan. What a coincidence. Paid a lot. I will test drive tomorrow. Could you tell us the name of the site at 4:16? Thank you.
Ebay.
Nice! I hope you have fun with your new setup.
And yeah, as Rob has already pointed out, the website I displayed was ebay
I have always loved the Q series, but never got around to purchasing one. It would have been ideal as it uses the same menu system as my other Pentax cameras from the K-7 to the K-1, so very easy for me to navigate. Interesting note, Pentax made an official Q-K mount adapter, so you could fit the, say the wonderful DA*300mm F4 lens on the front. Which means an equivalence of 1,680mm on the original Q and 1,380mm on the Q7. Sadly without AF (Oh Pentax, you missed a trick there). It would have looked insanely silly, but immense fun to try. Mind you, the Q with just the 100mm Macro would be a glorious compact nature combination. Now to find a Q7 with the 8.5, 5-15 and 15-45 lenses..........
1.28 in 'those cameras were just one offs'. You've forgotten the Gm5 then 😊
Maybe I'm wrong in thinking this, but I always consider the GM5 to be a different lineage to the GM1. Maybe it's the inclusion of an EVF and the slightly larger size? Who knows. It just doesn't feel like it's the same animal as the GM1 🤷🏻♂️
The un-edited video has a really nice retro feel judging by your sample. I've been looking for a Lomo-ish video camera solution. This might be it. Regarding noise: I predict a HUGE trend to bring some analog noise back to photography. Just go back and look at old 60-70s films and photographs + vintage BW art photos: the equivellent to vinyl records. I love it. The main issue is mic-ing limitations. Guess I'll have to dub V.O., badly synched with some pops in the soundtrack. LOL. Thank you!
I have this one. If this camera has a proper viewfinder (optical or digital), it would be my first picked camera for some reasons. But because of missing of this, my first pick is Fuji for now.
I love my Q-s1, such a fun quark and capable camera.
This was my very first ILC. This makes me feel very nostalgic. Would Pentax ever resurrect this concept? It would sell like hot cakes if it has half decent specs.
Topic aside, your production quality is always great! Thanks for making such fun and engaging videos!
Thanks Tom. Your videos are informative and entertaining. I found them while looking for a new pocket camera. One thing I've noticed you mention a few times is that you believe MicroSD cards are somehow slower or inferior to full-size SD cards. Given they are functionally the same, I don't understand how this is possible. I use MicroSD cards much more than SD cards and I've never had any issues as long as I met the specs for the applications speed requirements (mostly V30 for everything for the last few years). So please help me understand what I'm missing. Cheers mate!
If only they started with Q7 with that larger sensor. But with that premium price and first cameras with 1/2.3" sensor it was failed from start. Toy lenses also did some share putting this system into some "toy for fun" category in eyes of most photographers.
The problem is that one could simply buy Olympus XZ-2 or Stylus1 and have the 1/1.7" BSI CMOS paired with excellent fast lens in compact stabilized body with tilting LCD and still cost less. XZ-2 also has optional EVF and Stylus1 has one built-in.
I've never had an Olympus XZ-2. However… Pentax also sold the MX-1, which shared a lens and other components with the Olympus XZ-2. I had a MX-1, but never liked it. I found the MX-1's lens disappointing, and its operation was painfully slow (not enough processor power, I guess). On build and features one might argue the Fujifilm X20 clobbered them all, but I still get better image quality out of the Q7 than from the X20. Something about the Q7's sensor, Pentax firmware and the lenses came together just right for that chef's kiss.
Biggest issue with all these tiny MILC systems are the fact that they lack array of good lenses, most of them are everyday zooms only usable in daylight, almost none have good primes.
Your only option is to adapt them, in that sense, the Nikon 1 series of cameras are just better overall, its better value because people have not caught on yet, they are also more readily available, there more adapters for them including C-mount which gives you a good selection of lenses to work with, my favourite being East German Zeiss-Jena are perfect for this.
Samsung NX-mini is also pretty neat because of its focus peaking but they are overpriced and hard to get these days.
With the Q system, the 01 (normal prime), 06 (telephoto zoom) and 08 (wide zoom) are all you really need. Unfortunately, the 08 was expensive from the beginning and is hard to find now. But on Q7 and Q-S1 with their slightly bigger sensors, the 02 standard kit zoom does go pretty wide.
Cool because of the quirky lens adaptation bit. I'd rather go with a better canera and just use the endless options for M42 and such. But still, the handling on this one is bound to appeal to some people. Looks like a lot of fun.
Being able to use D-mount lenses is super fun and ended up being the main draw for me. The handling was a surprise - it's one of the most thoughtfully designed cameras I've ever tested. And that's not a statement I expected to make for a camera so small.
But, if I could only pick 1 tiny camera, I think I'd probably go for the GM1 👀
@@TomCalton It's a tough choice. So many good ones. I like Fuji X-E1 with helicoid and pancake vintage. Pocket sized but pretty nice image quality.
bought a pink Q10 in 2016 with an 02 lens for £80, followed by a white Q, black Q10 and silver Q7. an 01, four 02s, an 03, 05, and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases four chargers, fifteen batteries and a couple of remotes, and I am now into it for a little over £600. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters, and we are all having fun. The month after I bought the first Q10 a Q came up with all eight lenses for under £350, foolishly I passed on it. An 08 lens cost twice that much at the moment. I'm happy with what I have, I don't feel the need to buy any other still camera.
wow widescreen!
Note that Panasonic made the GM5 as a follow up to the GM1 so that was not a one off. I have both and they are fun for street and travel.
Keep up the great content!!
I always felt like the GM5 was the bigger brother to the GM1 rather than a successor - hence we saying the GM1 was a one off. But I'm probably wrong about that.
Thanks for the comment and support 🙂
@@TomCaltondirect replacement with a near identical size. Keep kicking myself for not picking up a GM1 when they were £150ish just a few years ago and the GM5s were either side of £300. All highly inflated prices now just because the manufacturers decided full frame was where people seemed to spend their money and didn’t look at the secondhand market probably being a lot more varied.
The pentax q reminds me of the nikon 1 cameras. Only i found the handling on the nikon 1 horrible, had never the chance to hold a pentax q in my hands though.
The pentax looks in that regard, far better. I saw a dedicated iso button!
This Camera is FUN! To each their own but the photos to me are unique. I like the noise. The grain. The flash and ND Filter in the day time. I have the original Pentax Q. I collect specific unique cameras by sensor size and it’s the ONLY interchangeable lens camera with a 1/2.3 sensor. It’s an amazing camera. If you’re complaining then go buy a bigger sensor camera or something.
Pentax makes some awesome cameras, with some eccentric design ideas (The K-01...) Sadly their QC needs a bit of work and after 3 bodies died on me within a 4 year period, I transitioned to Fujifilm.
They are indeed. I am lucky that none of my Pentax bodies have failed so far, and I really miss my "Brick" aka the K-01. What an odd camera to look at, but I loved to use. Sadly someone decided a few years back to access my home uninvited and acquire my K-01 accordingly (amongst others)
@@TheOffertonhatter Awww that sucks. I loved the K-01, and used it for many amazing macro shots. A brick it was, but it fit my large hands amazingly well.
I want a modern version
I Feel like the Pentax Auto 110 has to be the smallest interchangeable lens camera.
I used to stock the original Q, and hardly anyone wanted to touch it or anything in the range. Now, over a decade later...
Great review. Can recommend the original q as the build quality is so special ….
Thanks!
GM1 deserves the crown due to its sensor size
I use a Q7 professionally for real estate/interior photos
Yes, the Pentax Q cameras look good. But I always wondered what the point of them was. Especially those with a 1/2.3" sensor. There are compact cameras with brighter optics.
Is this camera good for beginners/ casual photography?
The Nikon j5 is the same weight as the Pentax q7 and has a vastly better feature set { larger sensor, better AF, fps, buffer etc } , I think cult following is a bit of a stretch outside a small niche of mainly Japanese users . I started with Pentax film cameras like a lot of others though I have not used a Pentax digital, they definitely dance to their own tune , long may they continue 😀
I got this while I owned the full Nikon 1 system so I just felt it was more of the same, and returned it.
I'm a big fan of the Nikon 1 J5..I didn't expect to like that camera as much as I did. Such a great little shooter for street photography
My wish would be for a Super Q with a EVF and some computational photography tech borrowed from today's smart phones. And if it's not quite so tiny, I'd be okay with that, because "world smallest" was a bit of a marketing gimmick after all.
Love the videos Tom. I'm sure you've noticed, but it feels like your mic has been peaking in the last few videos, sounds a bit crunchy
I enjoy my Q-S1.
can you help me ?
When I mount the adapter ring with an 8mm lens, I only get a black screen and cannot access the menu.
Where's the "It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it" pun Tom?
Honestly, at this point I'm running out of ways to subtly justify having a micro penis
@@TomCalton You gotta review one of those James Bond Micro film/camera hidden in a pen to use that pun. 😂😂
The Olympus Pen E-PL3 is pretty tiny. How can you get smaller than that?
Great little cameras, I can see why they are popular. But £200+ for a 12MP camera with a tiny 5.6 crop factor sensor seems crazy. Considering this puts them in the same price range as something like a Canon EOS M which has an 18MP APS-C sensor.
Goddammit. Now I want one.
Can you help me ?
When I mount the adapter ring with an 8mm lens, I only get a black screen and cannot access the menu.
Différence is Panasonic gM one is very goog 4/3
What is h8ch-d?
Pentax 110 I remember it well
wait so if it has a leaf shutter built into the lenses it should be capable of a very wide range of flash sync speeds which could help mitigate the poor low light performance for the cost of this typical flash photography look
The exposed sensor gives me anxiety. 🌚
if this q series camera has a view finder, I would love to own one.
"I am perfectly happy shooting at f5.6 now". Proceeds to discuss a camera that that starts to show diffraction at f5.6. Actually, I love my Q cameras (especially Bold Monochrome mode). I even found a MS Optical Sonnetar 25mm f1.1 lens for them.
I actually hate Pentax for quitting that line of cameras.
Sensor tech wasn't very good back then. I wonder how much better the images would've looked if the sensor was made in 2015
Pentax Auto 110 film SLR is the smallest of all time.
Not bad,neither good.
I love my Nikon j5, and don't care what the internet thinks about it (they are all wrong!) Small cameras are great.
Edit - Also I think the J5 was the only one of the series to use a micro SD card, all the others used full size. They were a little larger though.
my first love!!
I believe it’s the same sensor size as the Fuji x10, which has a great lens so probably lost a lot of business to fuji
I have a X20 and there's much to like about it, but my Q7 produces better image quality-for reasons that I'm not sure about. Also, I am more comfortable with the Pentax controls and firmware.
Subscribed because I see Pentax.
Reckon Nikon 1 series were far more capable and better lens selection - and in fact had AF tracking performance that outclassed DSLRs for over a decade
Hang on, so this is the smallest interchangeble lens mirrorless camera ever made?
Why haven't we heard of this before?
Why not just use an old digicam rather?
You absolutely could. Just depends whether you want to have interchange lenses or not 😊
In my experience my Q7 produces better image quality than any of the old digicams I've tried, even the more premium ones like the Fujifilm XF1 or the X20. I think most of the difference comes down to the lenses.
Nikon 1 J5 is pretty small.
Panasonic GM1 is the best super small camera. Sez me.
Thanks. toronto canada.
I found the GM1 too small for my hands, so I traded it.
I got a small grip attachment for mine and it made a world of difference. But I feel you on that one. It's very small!
@@TomCalton I still have the hot shoe grip for the GM1.
Sigh…pentax Q prices about to soar even higher. lol
Men arguing about size…
Look at this 😂
The Sony nex-5 series (5n, 5r, 5T) is barely larger in size 110 vs. 105 mm wide, only .8mm taller and 4mm in depth. But you get an APC 16mp sensor. If you have not scene it, I encourage you to go hold one. Sony started the mirrorless market because it gave them the opportunity to create small interchangeable cameras.
Yeah and it uses the Sony E mount with a wide variety of Sony and third-party lenses to choose from. So, the Sony NEX line is an extremely good budget option for beginners. I use the Sony Nex 6 myself :)
this is one of the smallest apsc camera's i know of and to be honest i am still hoping sony would bring out an updated version, so the autofocus and maybe the video features would be a touch better. the rest of this camera is perfect for me. yes there is no build in evf or hotshoe but if you don't use that much this camera is great! aspecially the flip up touch screen on the 5r and 5t are an great addition to this little camera!
Is everyone buying them new? I’m so confused
No, they've been discontinued for a long time. But there are plenty of second hand ones on ebay
No viewfinder, no thanks.
Thank you for saying 4.6 "times" and not 4.6 "ex".
Say cheese 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀
Canon m6 mark ii is the best
Price hike in 3..2..1... anndd it's gone....
You are a bit late, these been overpriced for a while, Nikon 1 systems with adapted lenses are quite nice, the Samsung NX-mini is also overrated these days and sell for way too much money.
John is 100% correct here in everything he's just stated
Everyone???
bruh you pump out too much content
You realise you don't have to watch everything I make, right? I mean, it'd be appreciated if you did, but if it's too much for you personally then just ignore the stuff that doesn't interest you.
Thanks for the feedback.
oh no not another camera blogger busting the price of a camera i was hoping i could buy again.....TT_TT
Anything below APS-C sensors is practically dead these days - and for good reason. Modern smartphones deliver better image quality.
Me need baby cam