I'm a sucker for anyting shot with a full-frame fish eye... Regardless of format. Not sure why.. my 16mm Nikkor from the 80s and 90s was one of my absolute all-time favorites. Very creative work as always
Question ❓ you ever do gave aways that be cool I been entering so many give aways never won nothing yet so will keep entering you never know .love your videos by the way.intresting like the info you share we'll be safe catch you on the next one.😊
So I'm today years old when I first hear of the Pentax Q. And the first thing that pops into my mind is, "This is something that Emily should review!" - and a quick youtube search later - there's Emily reviewing the Pentax Q! As always - thank you! I appreciate the information and the humor! Your reviews are anything but ho-hum. 🙂
Emily's pictures look great coming out of just about any sized camera! No doubt, while editing, she sees a big difference in image quality varying from camera to camera, but once they pass under her touch and make their way to RUclips, they all look pretty stellar. She achieves, through some wonky equipment, what I'm usually trying to do with bigger/better gear. Bravo!
Cool to see someone reviewing this now. I have a Q7 and 4 of the lenses. I use it more than my expensive Sony. The Q7 I have is bright yellow and has the standard zoom in yellow as well.
@urban_space I have the Prime (which I love), the telephoto zoom, and the shield lens. It's hard me to say which is best. I use the telephoto the least. I love putting on the shield lens, putting the camera in the "brilliant color" mode and taking impromptu street shots.
Great pocket camera. Important to note that the first models had a different sensor with even more crop factor (and same resolution). Sad that it is 100% discontinued, this system would be great with modern sensors and more processing power.
Dear EmiIy: usually use full frame but I also have the M43 and a while ago the Pentax Q. I must say that as a compact camera to carry around without worrying about weight and space it is great. Even going with such a small camera means that no one will take you seriously and that is a huge advantage. In my case, the image quality is at the limit and in the end I always end up applying noise reduction whether in LR, PH or Topaz. It is a very small sensor and the noise is visible even at ISO 200. Sometimes I like it because it reminds me of the era of the film but depending on the conditions other times I feel that it bothers me and I end up applying the noise reducer just a little, very sparingly so as not to degrade other components of the image. And so yes, I find it pleasant and often surprising, since for landscapes the depth of field is wide that it seems as if you were doing focus stacking in each shot. In fact, I did tests at a focal length similar to a 28 with my D700 and a fixed 28 2.8 AI lens and although it does not achieve the sharpness nor does it have the tonal variation of the D700, in a scene that combines a foreground and a background the image taken with the Pentax Q I like it better when I ask others. And indeed the quality is not so far away. I made prints on paper and the results were excellent too, more than happy with this wonderful little system and a shame it's a camera with no alternatives. Cheers!
I love your videos. I recently acquired an original Pentax Q and three lenses (01, 02, and 03), and I absolutely love it. I owned a Pentax 110 many years ago, and was always a bit disappointed in the resolution of the photos I could take with it. This is obviously not as sharp as my Olympus MFT cameras but it is more than satisfactory. If I continue to use this camera (I did just today), I may find it impossible to resist buying a Q7!
In the 90s I rode tandem a lot with my kids. A Konica C35 in the back pocket of my cycling jersey. My daughters would take the camera out and take photos as we rode along. My grandsons now do the same with the Q10, now even taking short video clips.
I have the first Q, bought it used and it came with 7 of the 8 lens, the 08 wide is astronomical in price. The camera is a fun and the results are great! Great review!
It's nice to know that you still have your pentax q! I actually bought mine because of you haha. I will never give it away. It's a fun system to shoot with.
I have three Q7 bodies (all-black, custom brown & olive green camouflage, and custom silver & white), with the three zooms, which tend to stay mounted and I just switch cameras instead. All three together weigh less than my Sony and twin zoom outfit. I'm having buyers remorse though. About the Sony! The little Pentaxes are such fun to use, unobtrusive, and if one body fails or runs out of battery I have backups. Pentax/Ricoh really screwed up when they axed future development.
The more I play with my Q-S1 the more I love it. Yeah, it's not a super duper micro 4/3s or full frame camera, but for fun factor it blows them away. With a TINY sling bag, I can put in the camera (with case!), the other Pentax Q zoom lens AND a 50-200 K mount lens with the adapter (in a case!! It is so cool to have a take it everywhere camera that can do so much. My $1500 Olympus camera is feeling a bit left out these days....
When you made your first ode to the Q video I picked a Q10 up from ebay with the 02 and 06 lens, then after a few months I grabbed another Q10 (this one all black) with the 01 and another 06 lens. Around the same time I noticed amazon still have the fish eye, toy lenses and body cap in stock and cheap so I got those. The last year I found the S1 locally for cheap! So I have quite the collection and have one with me pretty much all times. I like the wide toy lens for macro but I'm going to have to give extension tubes a try!
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since then I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up , who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
A110 lenses are used by many Q owners with the appropriate adaptor. Currently about £200 will buy the complete A110 and lenses kit in the original box.
Kool video. I have looked into the Q system but in my area it is rather expensive. Plus I have a ton of M43 gear, APSc and FF also. I did manage to find without looking, and very cheap, an N1J1 with 2 lenses. Sort of a novelty and doesn't get much use.
Surprised to read the Pentax Q was available new as recently as first quarter 2020. It seems like the kind of camera that would thrive on the home market but make little sense anywhere else, especially as m4/3 is seen as "too small" for serious users. It would be interesting to know how big a sharp print can be made from the Q series.
I bought one because of your video. 😄 it's so small and adorable! I was in a rut in taking photos but the pentax q is such a joy to shoot and very handy, i have found myself shooting again :)
I think these kinds of cameras are the most enjoyable to shoot with. I'm over huge cameras. Nothing beats being able to keep the camera and five lenses, the weight of which you can barely feel, in a backpack with room to spare. That's why I love my GM5 so much. Stick a something like the Panny 42.5 f1.7 on it and it punches far, far above its weight class.
Love it!! I originally got a Q back in 2017 to not draw attention to myself while riding the Los Angeles subway and have been absolutely smitten with it! I’ve got six of the eight lenses, too, though I’m missing the 02 (which I’m sure I’ll pick up when I get a backup Q) and the 08. I suppose I’m kind of an oddball, as I mostly stick to the 04 (with 05 & 03 in a supporting role)
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since then I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up , who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
I got all recent cameras but at the end i carry qs1 for street photography, result is just better than other camera because of qs1's vivid colour mode with fun affect lenses. Its just so light and small, still my go camera in 2023. Recommend 8 wide zoom lens, its the most sharp lens among all lens but its hard to get, i was lucky to get one in Japan.
I'm also a fan of small cameras, but I've stopped using cameras with 1/2.3" sensors. My Sony RX100 with the 1" sensor is tiny, but the images are noticeably inferior to my Micro Four Thirds system. You've captured some great images with the Q, Emily! I really enjoyed using my Olympus XA years ago. Too bad they can't make a digital equivalent.
I had this and the Nikon 1 but favored the Nikon more. I can usually make due with sensors worst than the Q but it just wasn’t worth the price back then. Maybe I’ll revisit it again today.
For some reason RUclips has recently started to recommend to me videos that deal (and often praise) with the Pentax Q system. I've always loved the Pentax DSLRs (they're all I use) but the Q passed me by back in the day. But now with the slight resurgence of its popularity in street photography (due to its small size and low, low price in the used market), I had the thought that I could probably easily smuggle it into some gigs and get better shots than with my crappy cell phone camera. And I just can't shake that idea! So I guess I'll be getting a Q7 or a Q-S1 in the near future...
Ok I have only just discovered this camera today thanks to this video! ...Did you 'catch them all' when it comes to the lenses? (Sorry if I missed an update?)
Thanks for a great video of a fun and capable mini system! Question: it looks like there is a teeny square IR cut filter that might pop in/out just ahead of the sensor? If so, I would think it might make for a quick route to having a full spectrum camera whenever the mood strikes (with steady hands though, no doubt!)
I had 2 of the original Qs along with several lenses, and like and idiot sold all of them. But my wife and I went on a driving trip from Minnesota to Utah and I took that and the Pentaz K-01 and got great photos. Yep - sold the K-01 too.
I love it -- I'll have to dig mine out. I was keen to get that telezoom, too, but it just got too expensive. I've almost bought the pink GX850 several times, too.
I also collected the Pentax Q full set and even had the 08 Wide, which I sold last year for more that I paid for it two years prior. Rare to make money on camera lenses. I still have more original Q and love the prime, which keeps the camera so tiny.
Absolutely one of my first and favorite camera systems, (unfortunately got stolen) so now I’m looking to repurchase possibly, even being an almost 10 year old camera system at this point it’s still just about the same price for the camera + a 02 lens (which seems kind of amazing) Absolutely my fav camera that I’ve used so far for macro insect photos (although my phone camera with macro is maybe easier at this point)
I so wish that I had the coin to splurge on this camera back in the day, as they are so cool! Having said that, I am happy that at least for the time being we have Panasonic GM series as a not-as-small mainstream alternative
Don't Emily, I'll be on Ebay, MPB and Wex looking for one lol I had the Nikon 1 a couple of years ago for similar reasons, only I did the classic thing of selling to fund another camera. Love your videos, always uplifting :)
I have been on the look out for this and the Nikon 1 system in the local classifeds. Scored a Nikon 1V1 for about £40, so the Q system is a bit on the backburner at the moment as I plan to flesh out the Nikon system a bit. Already got the 10-30 (somewhat dead) that came with the camera, and a 30-110 as well as the tiny flash for them. Plan to get the OEM adapter, a fully working normal range lens, possibly the Wide angle zoom, and the Holy Grail would be the 70-300, which at 2.7X should be a nice 190 to 810mm equivalent coming in at rather less than two lbs/1kilo with one of the "big" V style cameras that sports LVFs.
I got the N1J1 about 3 years ago for about $100 because the pawn shop didn't know what it was, it came with both of those lenses and works great. Mine is the white model. Just don't use it much with all my M43 and other gear around.
I have 2 different models. Have never thought to shoot in raw. Wanted the Pentax adapter to put K lenses on these but it is like $250 - if you can find one.
After using Q7 for 2 months, i can safely say the system is in many regards, as fun to use as my old faithful E-PL1. While i have the complete line up of lens, i have found the 5-15mm 02 lens most practical to use as it covers 24mm - 72mm range. The 01 can sometimes be useful especially at low-light. The 06 is the only lens capable of producing bokeh, so it is reserved for tele-portrait or product photos. The 08 is good in many regards, but its zoom range is abit narrow, so i prefer my Pana 7-14 F4 or N1 6.7-13 instead.
For anyone old enough, they might remember a similar wacky attempt from the 1978--a full SLR system built around the 110 film cartridge! 😆 Those cameras were even smaller than the Q. They looked like absolute toys. Talk about being ahead of your time!
@@ElusiveFrame Yes indeed. The manic emphasis on smartphone cameras is eating its way up the photographic food chain. I gotta admit though, the computational processing involve in getting images that good from sensors that tiny--it's amazing! I always why they can't apply exactly the same technology in Micro Four Thirds cameras.
@@Centauri27 the Pantax A110 system can still be bought as a complete kit for around £200. Difficult to source the film though. The lenses can be used on the Pentax Q with an adaptor, I think it is a C type, costs less than £20. Lots of adaptors available, I'm looking to get them for OM, PK and M42, though there are lots of people using old CCTV lenses on them.
Had a Canon bridge camera once with a similar sensor. Having a 28-420mm f2.8-3.5 equivalent zoom at that size is fun. Image quality was ...decent enough? And cause of the tiny sensor close focus is really close. Like directly at the front element close. But man, the distortions 😂 interchangeable lenses exist for a reason. Growing up I wondered why I never managed to get a straight picture of cityscapes. Only when I started photography a bit more seriously, I understood that it wasn't my fault
I've been collecting the lenses and bodies I think I still need the q7 body, and the toy telephoto. the wide zoom lens cost me more then all 3 bodies I have.
Now I have to go find my Q system, nice review. I use a clearviewer on mine so I can bring to my eye and use like a normal camera (blocks sun with hand)
My favourite so far is my Olympus EM10 MkII since it makes me feel like a pro (though I am not LOL). Though I do have a Pentax Q10 that I bought for my girlfriend, but she doesn't use it as much. I think she probably needs a LCD Hood to see what she's taking. I have taken photos with it myself and it always amazes me. On the screen itself the photos look meh, but when I open it on the PC it is like whoa, what? it was this sharp? I think in a different world I'd be a Pentax Q only person but it is just too limited and M4/3 is really the best bargain.
Great system and capturers. Congrats, as you were able to achieve stellar pictures that some of “fancy” Leica / Fujifilm shooters may not have that wisdom to shot like this. Although they have soooo expensive cams. :)
Nice review of a curious little camera. I wonder if Pentax made any money out of it? I must say, however, that I wince whenever you wave your cameras about with the sensor exposed due to no lens being attached.
now the two most important things, original Pentax Q to Pentax K converter and Pentax M star 300 F4 it gives us 1400mm F4 a and it's incredibly sharp. The M 300 star lens is very small. .. at the end Metabone speed buster . thanks to him, when we use lens of f1.2 we will get the fastest connection that exists, f 0.666 ( we can take photos in darkness) I recommend
Q was a nice series. To bad Pentax shut it down. Same with Nikon 1, really wanted to try that system but was already invested in MFT. It’s a shame the camera world doesn’t tolerate a system with smaller sensors.
The round lump that you are using as a "grip" is actually an infrared receiver for a remote control. I doubt if you will find the remote control. You might also be able to find a "C-mount" adapter for the Q series. The C-mount is "industrial" and is used for things like security cameras or microscope cameras. C-mount lenses are all manual and highly variable in price and quality. They range from very poor quality and cheap up to excellent quality and very expensive. Ricoh makes C-mount lenses, which can be thought of as "appropriate" for a Pentax camera.
It's still a grip, it just happens to have an IR receiver in it. Just look at the other models in the series, where it's very clearly an IR receiver embedded in the grip. The IR remote is easy to find because Pentax stuck with the same communication so most of their remotes work, and even remotes from some other companies.
IR works even with irplus on Android if you have an IR blaster on your phone, otherwise Pentax ve always made the remotes with the same signals so any modern one will work.
Does the Q10 and Q7 have significant difference in image quality? Because I read that the Q7 has a slightly bigger sensor than the Q10, but I wanted to buy the Q10 because I saw one for a bargain price with both the 02 and 06 lens, while the Q7 is significantly more expensive for me on the same website. Would I miss out on a lot if I get the Q10?
In my experience (I've owned one of each, and the original, and the s1) the image quality is pretty much identical. The main difference you'll see is the lenses look slightly wider with the bigger sensor version as it alters the field of view, but only slightly
Some of us still mourn the day that Pentax discontinued the Q-series. I could never quite afford them when they were current and now, in the UK, it's seemingly hard to track them down at sensible money
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since the start of COVID I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and a couple of months ago a black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up, who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
Me too. I am picketing for lumix to redo their tiny range, and when we all prove it’s so popular Pentax can join the Tiny Camera 2023 club!! A gal can dream haha 🙏🤞
I went to a Spanish town called Callella which had massive puppets like yours. They were very photogenic even with my cutting-edge Nikon d50 and it's massive 6mp sensor. Can I ask you a completely random question about a Panny 42.5mm lens? I'm off to my sister's wedding in Spain soon, would this be a good lens to take on holiday for family photo wedding duties?
Ooo absolutely! Lovely focal length for portraits and couple shots. Might need something a bit wider for small group shots. But yes that’s a great choice for weddings
@@MicroFourNerds Thanks for the advice on the 42.5 lens. My head is swimming with all the RUclips reviews, including some of yours. I needed reassurance before pulling the trigger on another lens. I'm building quite a collection of glass for just a hobby.🤣🤣
I was going to buy this camera, but my dad told me just to buy a better phone (which does make sense honestly). I still want to pick this up eventually though. Also, random question, but have you ever used the Zcam E2-M4? It would be a interesting alternative to the Gh6
I avoided mentioning it because it differs ever so slightly between the models, and gets a bit confusing! Pentax Q-S1's (the pink one) sensor is 1/1.7” and Pentax Q's (the black camera I show) sensor is 1/2.3-inch. So, both are tiny, but the S1 is slightly bigger
Huge fail was, that it started with 1/2.3" sensors and quite high price. Only those later produced Q7 and later cameras with slightly larger 1/1.6" sensors are more interesting. Calling lenses "toy lens" was also horrible marketing fail. It will be better to release Q7 with some 24-150/2.8 equivallent lens, add fisheye and AF adaptor for K mount. As a result of all those fails I rather bought Olympus Stylus 1s and I have pocketable camera with same sensor like Q7, superb 28-300/2.8 lens, significantly better AF and all in one small package with EVF included. Unfortunately Ricoh killed the whole system :(
Wait am Minute there. You mean to tell me, with an adapter (if there is one) a typical 70-300 f3.5-5.6 would effectively become a 385-1680mm F 3.5-5.6 lens? :D :D
hmm, probably better off with a modern compact camera with a ~400mm range like a Panasonic Tz200.. when on discount lol. They are Truly pocketable and better image quality. But it's nice reviving old things.
Surprised to read the Pentax Q was available new as recently as first quarter 2020. It seems like the kind of camera that would thrive on the home market but make little sense anywhere else, especially as m4/3 is seen as "too small" for serious users. It would be interesting to know how big a sharp print can be made from the Q series.
I loved the photos from this little camera! It was so liberating going way with such a tiny camera system! Which photo was your fave?
The architecture pics were all awesome ❤️
The buildings and smoke one was delightful
I'm a sucker for anyting shot with a full-frame fish eye... Regardless of format. Not sure why.. my 16mm Nikkor from the 80s and 90s was one of my absolute all-time favorites. Very creative work as always
Question ❓ you ever do gave aways that be cool I been entering so many give aways never won nothing yet so will keep entering you never know .love your videos by the way.intresting like the info you share we'll be safe catch you on the next one.😊
So I'm today years old when I first hear of the Pentax Q. And the first thing that pops into my mind is, "This is something that Emily should review!" - and a quick youtube search later - there's Emily reviewing the Pentax Q! As always - thank you! I appreciate the information and the humor! Your reviews are anything but ho-hum. 🙂
Emily's pictures look great coming out of just about any sized camera! No doubt, while editing, she sees a big difference in image quality varying from camera to camera, but once they pass under her touch and make their way to RUclips, they all look pretty stellar. She achieves, through some wonky equipment, what I'm usually trying to do with bigger/better gear. Bravo!
I didn’t know this existed. Seriously cool system.
Cool to see someone reviewing this now. I have a Q7 and 4 of the lenses. I use it more than my expensive Sony. The Q7 I have is bright yellow and has the standard zoom in yellow as well.
Oooo I love the yellow one! Especially with the matching lens!!
@urban_space I have the Prime (which I love), the telephoto zoom, and the shield lens. It's hard me to say which is best. I use the telephoto the least. I love putting on the shield lens, putting the camera in the "brilliant color" mode and taking impromptu street shots.
6:02
I may be wrong but I think that might be the infrared sensor that allows you to use a remote with your camera
you are right... kind of makes me wonder about reviewer that doesn't know that...
Great pocket camera. Important to note that the first models had a different sensor with even more crop factor (and same resolution). Sad that it is 100% discontinued, this system would be great with modern sensors and more processing power.
I’d love to see a refreshed Q! 🙏
Yeah, it would have been worth noting what the focal length equivalents are on the Q and Q10.
Dear EmiIy: usually use full frame but I also have the M43 and a while ago the Pentax Q. I must say that as a compact camera to carry around without worrying about weight and space it is great. Even going with such a small camera means that no one will take you seriously and that is a huge advantage. In my case, the image quality is at the limit and in the end I always end up applying noise reduction whether in LR, PH or Topaz. It is a very small sensor and the noise is visible even at ISO 200. Sometimes I like it because it reminds me of the era of the film but depending on the conditions other times I feel that it bothers me and I end up applying the noise reducer just a little, very sparingly so as not to degrade other components of the image. And so yes, I find it pleasant and often surprising, since for landscapes the depth of field is wide that it seems as if you were doing focus stacking in each shot. In fact, I did tests at a focal length similar to a 28 with my D700 and a fixed 28 2.8 AI lens and although it does not achieve the sharpness nor does it have the tonal variation of the D700, in a scene that combines a foreground and a background the image taken with the Pentax Q I like it better when I ask others. And indeed the quality is not so far away. I made prints on paper and the results were excellent too, more than happy with this wonderful little system and a shame it's a camera with no alternatives. Cheers!
I love your videos. I recently acquired an original Pentax Q and three lenses (01, 02, and 03), and I absolutely love it. I owned a Pentax 110 many years ago, and was always a bit disappointed in the resolution of the photos I could take with it. This is obviously not as sharp as my Olympus MFT cameras but it is more than satisfactory. If I continue to use this camera (I did just today), I may find it impossible to resist buying a Q7!
The colors on your present are absolute fantastic!
In the 90s I rode tandem a lot with my kids. A Konica C35 in the back pocket of my cycling jersey. My daughters would take the camera out and take photos as we rode along. My grandsons now do the same with the Q10, now even taking short video clips.
I have the first Q, bought it used and it came with 7 of the 8 lens, the 08 wide is astronomical in price. The camera is a fun and the results are great! Great review!
You are infectious!!! You have so much fun, we all want to catch whatever you've got! ❣️👍😊
It's nice to know that you still have your pentax q! I actually bought mine because of you haha. I will never give it away. It's a fun system to shoot with.
I have three Q7 bodies (all-black, custom brown & olive green camouflage, and custom silver & white), with the three zooms, which tend to stay mounted and I just switch cameras instead. All three together weigh less than my Sony and twin zoom outfit. I'm having buyers remorse though. About the Sony! The little Pentaxes are such fun to use, unobtrusive, and if one body fails or runs out of battery I have backups. Pentax/Ricoh really screwed up when they axed future development.
The more I play with my Q-S1 the more I love it. Yeah, it's not a super duper micro 4/3s or full frame camera, but for fun factor it blows them away. With a TINY sling bag, I can put in the camera (with case!), the other Pentax Q zoom lens AND a 50-200 K mount lens with the adapter (in a case!! It is so cool to have a take it everywhere camera that can do so much. My $1500 Olympus camera is feeling a bit left out these days....
When you made your first ode to the Q video I picked a Q10 up from ebay with the 02 and 06 lens, then after a few months I grabbed another Q10 (this one all black) with the 01 and another 06 lens. Around the same time I noticed amazon still have the fish eye, toy lenses and body cap in stock and cheap so I got those. The last year I found the S1 locally for cheap! So I have quite the collection and have one with me pretty much all times. I like the wide toy lens for macro but I'm going to have to give extension tubes a try!
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since then I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up , who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
Great video and camera. Pentax started it all with the A 110 with several lenses. Nice camera for its time.
A110 lenses are used by many Q owners with the appropriate adaptor. Currently about £200 will buy the complete A110 and lenses kit in the original box.
Kool video. I have looked into the Q system but in my area it is rather expensive. Plus I have a ton of M43 gear, APSc and FF also. I did manage to find without looking, and very cheap, an N1J1 with 2 lenses. Sort of a novelty and doesn't get much use.
Thanks!
Aww thanks so much ☺️🙏
What a beautiful declaration of love!
Surprised to read the Pentax Q was available new as recently as first quarter 2020. It seems like the kind of camera that would thrive on the home market but make little sense anywhere else, especially as m4/3 is seen as "too small" for serious users. It would be interesting to know how big a sharp print can be made from the Q series.
I bought one because of your video. 😄 it's so small and adorable! I was in a rut in taking photos but the pentax q is such a joy to shoot and very handy, i have found myself shooting again :)
I think these kinds of cameras are the most enjoyable to shoot with. I'm over huge cameras. Nothing beats being able to keep the camera and five lenses, the weight of which you can barely feel, in a backpack with room to spare. That's why I love my GM5 so much. Stick a something like the Panny 42.5 f1.7 on it and it punches far, far above its weight class.
Those little ones are so cute! I wish colorful camera bodies were more common!
I have the q10 ! - straight out of Japan - one of my best cameras I’ve ever owned !
Love it!! I originally got a Q back in 2017 to not draw attention to myself while riding the Los Angeles subway and have been absolutely smitten with it! I’ve got six of the eight lenses, too, though I’m missing the 02 (which I’m sure I’ll pick up when I get a backup Q) and the 08. I suppose I’m kind of an oddball, as I mostly stick to the 04 (with 05 & 03 in a supporting role)
I just bought q10, and I really like the size
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since then I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up , who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
The cameras and lens truly look thing in person!
I got all recent cameras but at the end i carry qs1 for street photography, result is just better than other camera because of qs1's vivid colour mode with fun affect lenses. Its just so light and small, still my go camera in 2023. Recommend 8 wide zoom lens, its the most sharp lens among all lens but its hard to get, i was lucky to get one in Japan.
I'm also a fan of small cameras, but I've stopped using cameras with 1/2.3" sensors. My Sony RX100 with the 1" sensor is tiny, but the images are noticeably inferior to my Micro Four Thirds system. You've captured some great images with the Q, Emily! I really enjoyed using my Olympus XA years ago. Too bad they can't make a digital equivalent.
Great review thank you. I wanted to try the original Q with some C mount as well as vintage long telephoto lenses just for fun
I had this and the Nikon 1 but favored the Nikon more. I can usually make due with sensors worst than the Q but it just wasn’t worth the price back then. Maybe I’ll revisit it again today.
I d love a video about the different QBodies!
Nikon also had a super small system. I would love to see what these Pentax raw files look after being cleaned up with DXO photoLab or DXO PureRaw.
For some reason RUclips has recently started to recommend to me videos that deal (and often praise) with the Pentax Q system. I've always loved the Pentax DSLRs (they're all I use) but the Q passed me by back in the day. But now with the slight resurgence of its popularity in street photography (due to its small size and low, low price in the used market), I had the thought that I could probably easily smuggle it into some gigs and get better shots than with my crappy cell phone camera. And I just can't shake that idea! So I guess I'll be getting a Q7 or a Q-S1 in the near future...
Holy Shit. I’m shocked as to how amazing this is
Reminds me of the Pentax 110 auto film camera which I owned along with the three lenses. I guess this is the digital variant of the 110.
Ok I have only just discovered this camera today thanks to this video! ...Did you 'catch them all' when it comes to the lenses? (Sorry if I missed an update?)
Thanks for a great video of a fun and capable mini system! Question: it looks like there is a teeny square IR cut filter that might pop in/out just ahead of the sensor? If so, I would think it might make for a quick route to having a full spectrum camera whenever the mood strikes (with steady hands though, no doubt!)
thank you for the review. Im the same with cameras, I cant stop. I see one I like I will buy, lol
Awesome and very entertaining video 😊
I had 2 of the original Qs along with several lenses, and like and idiot sold all of them. But my wife and I went on a driving trip from Minnesota to Utah and I took that and the Pentaz K-01 and got great photos. Yep - sold the K-01 too.
I have a terrible habit of selling things, regretting it, then buying them again for more years later 😂🙈
@@MicroFourNerds Me too!
I love it -- I'll have to dig mine out. I was keen to get that telezoom, too, but it just got too expensive. I've almost bought the pink GX850 several times, too.
Reminds me of the Pentax 110 SLR
I also collected the Pentax Q full set and even had the 08 Wide, which I sold last year for more that I paid for it two years prior. Rare to make money on camera lenses. I still have more original Q and love the prime, which keeps the camera so tiny.
Wow I’m jealous you had the 08! I’m not surprised you made money on it!
Absolutely one of my first and favorite camera systems, (unfortunately got stolen) so now I’m looking to repurchase possibly, even being an almost 10 year old camera system at this point it’s still just about the same price for the camera + a 02 lens (which seems kind of amazing)
Absolutely my fav camera that I’ve used so far for macro insect photos (although my phone camera with macro is maybe easier at this point)
I so wish that I had the coin to splurge on this camera back in the day, as they are so cool! Having said that, I am happy that at least for the time being we have Panasonic GM series as a not-as-small mainstream alternative
Don't Emily, I'll be on Ebay, MPB and Wex looking for one lol I had the Nikon 1 a couple of years ago for similar reasons, only I did the classic thing of selling to fund another camera. Love your videos, always uplifting :)
I have been on the look out for this and the Nikon 1 system in the local classifeds. Scored a Nikon 1V1 for about £40, so the Q system is a bit on the backburner at the moment as I plan to flesh out the Nikon system a bit. Already got the 10-30 (somewhat dead) that came with the camera, and a 30-110 as well as the tiny flash for them. Plan to get the OEM adapter, a fully working normal range lens, possibly the Wide angle zoom, and the Holy Grail would be the 70-300, which at 2.7X should be a nice 190 to 810mm equivalent coming in at rather less than two lbs/1kilo with one of the "big" V style cameras that sports LVFs.
I got the N1J1 about 3 years ago for about $100 because the pawn shop didn't know what it was, it came with both of those lenses and works great. Mine is the white model. Just don't use it much with all my M43 and other gear around.
Cute tiny camera, what do you think of Samsung NX Mini?
I have 2 different models. Have never thought to shoot in raw.
Wanted the Pentax adapter to put K lenses on these but it is like $250 - if you can find one.
This is so cool! I can't believe the quality from such a tiny sensor! There isn't a single tiny camera out there that you don't know about 🤣
🤣 I try! 📸
After using Q7 for 2 months, i can safely say the system is in many regards, as fun to use as my old faithful E-PL1. While i have the complete line up of lens, i have found the 5-15mm 02 lens most practical to use as it covers 24mm - 72mm range. The 01 can sometimes be useful especially at low-light. The 06 is the only lens capable of producing bokeh, so it is reserved for tele-portrait or product photos. The 08 is good in many regards, but its zoom range is abit narrow, so i prefer my Pana 7-14 F4 or N1 6.7-13 instead.
I love this series! Pentax was seriously ahead of its time wow. 😮
Is it even possible to shoot with this in low light? 😂
Sure you can~ the 01 standard prime is a f1.9 and the 06 telezoom even has a constant f2.8 aperture.
For anyone old enough, they might remember a similar wacky attempt from the 1978--a full SLR system built around the 110 film cartridge! 😆 Those cameras were even smaller than the Q. They looked like absolute toys. Talk about being ahead of your time!
@@Centauri27 It feels like nobody is going to attempt anything like it today, in the growing smartphone market.
Very sad. 🙁
@@ElusiveFrame Yes indeed. The manic emphasis on smartphone cameras is eating its way up the photographic food chain. I gotta admit though, the computational processing involve in getting images that good from sensors that tiny--it's amazing! I always why they can't apply exactly the same technology in Micro Four Thirds cameras.
@@Centauri27 the Pantax A110 system can still be bought as a complete kit for around £200. Difficult to source the film though. The lenses can be used on the Pentax Q with an adaptor, I think it is a C type, costs less than £20. Lots of adaptors available, I'm looking to get them for OM, PK and M42, though there are lots of people using old CCTV lenses on them.
Which Q camera is best?
Q-S1 or Q7, the other Q's have a smaller sensor.
@@archimark5060 oh excellent thank you 🙏
@@dedclownsRfunny Q-S1 and Q7 are made with plastic, the original Q is the best body. No difference in image quality from sensors.
Had a Canon bridge camera once with a similar sensor. Having a 28-420mm f2.8-3.5 equivalent zoom at that size is fun. Image quality was ...decent enough? And cause of the tiny sensor close focus is really close. Like directly at the front element close.
But man, the distortions 😂 interchangeable lenses exist for a reason. Growing up I wondered why I never managed to get a straight picture of cityscapes. Only when I started photography a bit more seriously, I understood that it wasn't my fault
I've been collecting the lenses and bodies I think I still need the q7 body, and the toy telephoto. the wide zoom lens cost me more then all 3 bodies I have.
Now I have to go find my Q system, nice review. I use a clearviewer on mine so I can bring to my eye and use like a normal camera (blocks sun with hand)
Ooo yes that’s a great idea the back screen isn’t the brightest!
Would love to see a test for minimum DOF on this system with a portrait and how it compares to something like a compact digicam
Can you please how you manual focus with gh series? I am having hard time.
Emily, actually it's no secret. At all. And I can see why. Looks like one of the most fun camera families there is to shoot with!
My favourite so far is my Olympus EM10 MkII since it makes me feel like a pro (though I am not LOL). Though I do have a Pentax Q10 that I bought for my girlfriend, but she doesn't use it as much. I think she probably needs a LCD Hood to see what she's taking. I have taken photos with it myself and it always amazes me. On the screen itself the photos look meh, but when I open it on the PC it is like whoa, what? it was this sharp? I think in a different world I'd be a Pentax Q only person but it is just too limited and M4/3 is really the best bargain.
Great system and capturers. Congrats, as you were able to achieve stellar pictures that some of “fancy” Leica / Fujifilm shooters may not have that wisdom to shot like this. Although they have soooo expensive cams. :)
Nice review of a curious little camera. I wonder if Pentax made any money out of it? I must say, however, that I wince whenever you wave your cameras about with the sensor exposed due to no lens being attached.
size of the body i was expecting 1inch sensor! the SamsungNX-mini has 1inch sensor and has that slim compact body!
I’ve got the #8 lens but very rarely use it. I need to trade it for some m43 lenses
I never realized how small the sensor was on the Q !
May i suggest your next camera quest be the Nikon 1 with phase detect autofocus. Not much bigger than th Pentax Q
I have original Q. I like it. But used it soooo long time ago.
now the two most important things, original Pentax Q to Pentax K converter and Pentax M star 300 F4 it gives us 1400mm F4 a and it's incredibly sharp. The M 300 star lens is very small. .. at the end Metabone speed buster . thanks to him, when we use lens of f1.2 we will get the fastest connection that exists, f 0.666 ( we can take photos in darkness) I recommend
How does it compare to the Samsung NX cameras?
Q was a nice series. To bad Pentax shut it down. Same with Nikon 1, really wanted to try that system but was already invested in MFT. It’s a shame the camera world doesn’t tolerate a system with smaller sensors.
I'm trying to find it, but here in Spain I can't find it..
The round lump that you are using as a "grip" is actually an infrared receiver for a remote control. I doubt if you will find the remote control. You might also be able to find a "C-mount" adapter for the Q series. The C-mount is "industrial" and is used for things like security cameras or microscope cameras. C-mount lenses are all manual and highly variable in price and quality. They range from very poor quality and cheap up to excellent quality and very expensive. Ricoh makes C-mount lenses, which can be thought of as "appropriate" for a Pentax camera.
Amazing info! Thank you ☺️
It's still a grip, it just happens to have an IR receiver in it. Just look at the other models in the series, where it's very clearly an IR receiver embedded in the grip. The IR remote is easy to find because Pentax stuck with the same communication so most of their remotes work, and even remotes from some other companies.
IR works even with irplus on Android if you have an IR blaster on your phone, otherwise Pentax ve always made the remotes with the same signals so any modern one will work.
Thanks Emily. How does the 70-200 equivalent compare in size and weight to the Lumix 35-100 f4-5.6?
The Pentax one is still significantly smaller and lighter… tho that m43 lens is incredible!! Got a review of that coming this month actually!
@@MicroFourNerds thanks Emily. Looking forward to your review. I've owned the lens for a few years now and think it's a great lens
WOAHHHHH. That 70-200 lens is tiny!! :D
It’s ridiculous I love it 😂
You can put Lumix and Leica Fullframe lenses on it with an adapter, that would look funny. You should try it.
Does the Q10 and Q7 have significant difference in image quality? Because I read that the Q7 has a slightly bigger sensor than the Q10, but I wanted to buy the Q10 because I saw one for a bargain price with both the 02 and 06 lens, while the Q7 is significantly more expensive for me on the same website. Would I miss out on a lot if I get the Q10?
In my experience (I've owned one of each, and the original, and the s1) the image quality is pretty much identical. The main difference you'll see is the lenses look slightly wider with the bigger sensor version as it alters the field of view, but only slightly
Some of us still mourn the day that Pentax discontinued the Q-series. I could never quite afford them when they were current and now, in the UK, it's seemingly hard to track them down at sensible money
I've always been a fan of small cameras, having started with an Olympus OM1N in 1980 and a Konica C35 the following year. They don't get a lot of use now, but in 2016 I picked up a nail varnish pink coloured Q10 and 02 lens for just £80. At the time there was a complete kit with camera and all lenses from 01 to 08 available for just under £500!!! I didn't buy it as I had no experience of the system at the time, but if only! Since the start of COVID I have added a white Q, silver Q10, and a couple of months ago a black Q7. Along with an 01, four 02, an 03, 05 and two 06 lenses. Two ever ready cases, four chargers ten batteries and a few filters and lens hoods. Total cost a little over £500. I don't expect to buy any more, but if a decently priced QS-1 came up, who knows. The two Q10s are on loan to my daughters. I'm enjoying the system so much I have no desire to buy anything supposedly "better".
Love my Pentax q10! Wish Pentax would blow some life into the system with a new body
Me too. I am picketing for lumix to redo their tiny range, and when we all prove it’s so popular Pentax can join the Tiny Camera 2023 club!! A gal can dream haha 🙏🤞
I went to a Spanish town called Callella which had massive puppets like yours. They were very photogenic even with my cutting-edge Nikon d50 and it's massive 6mp sensor.
Can I ask you a completely random question about a Panny 42.5mm lens?
I'm off to my sister's wedding in Spain soon, would this be a good lens to take on holiday for family photo wedding duties?
Ooo absolutely! Lovely focal length for portraits and couple shots. Might need something a bit wider for small group shots. But yes that’s a great choice for weddings
@@MicroFourNerds Thanks for the advice on the 42.5 lens. My head is swimming with all the RUclips reviews, including some of yours. I needed reassurance before pulling the trigger on another lens. I'm building quite a collection of glass for just a hobby.🤣🤣
Never change, Pentax .. :)
I was going to buy this camera, but my dad told me just to buy a better phone (which does make sense honestly). I still want to pick this up eventually though. Also, random question, but have you ever used the Zcam E2-M4? It would be a interesting alternative to the Gh6
the experience of shooting with a camera is quite different to shooting with a phone. don’t listen to your dad! (at least in this case)
Decided to go to short trawel only with q10 leawing g9 home and found this wideo just now he he...
What's the sensor size?
I avoided mentioning it because it differs ever so slightly between the models, and gets a bit confusing! Pentax Q-S1's (the pink one) sensor is 1/1.7” and Pentax Q's (the black camera I show) sensor is 1/2.3-inch.
So, both are tiny, but the S1 is slightly bigger
@@MicroFourNerds Thanks !!!
Huge fail was, that it started with 1/2.3" sensors and quite high price. Only those later produced Q7 and later cameras with slightly larger 1/1.6" sensors are more interesting. Calling lenses "toy lens" was also horrible marketing fail. It will be better to release Q7 with some 24-150/2.8 equivallent lens, add fisheye and AF adaptor for K mount.
As a result of all those fails I rather bought Olympus Stylus 1s and I have pocketable camera with same sensor like Q7, superb 28-300/2.8 lens, significantly better AF and all in one small package with EVF included.
Unfortunately Ricoh killed the whole system :(
I have 3 of the Qs with the 01, 02 and 06 lenses. The 08 goes for $700-$1000 which is not worth it IMO.
Wait am Minute there. You mean to tell me, with an adapter (if there is one) a typical 70-300 f3.5-5.6 would effectively become a 385-1680mm F 3.5-5.6 lens? :D :D
Which is the 70-200
The 06 lens 😊
Eh, did u say Pentax "Cute?" I'm mulling🤔 original edition all-metal Q. With the right adaptors, much fun 2 b had. Btw; very nice colour rendering.
Actually …. Smallest camera was or is The Rollie 35 series, albeit a film camera!
hmm, probably better off with a modern compact camera with a ~400mm range like a Panasonic Tz200.. when on discount lol. They are Truly pocketable and better image quality. But it's nice reviving old things.
Pink it and shrink it
Q for Qute!
That is an awful joke and you should be ashamed.
ITS ALSO FROM AN ANIME
I happen to have an extra 07 shield mount lens! I DM'd you on Insta
Surprised to read the Pentax Q was available new as recently as first quarter 2020. It seems like the kind of camera that would thrive on the home market but make little sense anywhere else, especially as m4/3 is seen as "too small" for serious users. It would be interesting to know how big a sharp print can be made from the Q series.