Mirrorless camera casts brilliant reflection

Pentax has entered the mirrorless interchangeable lens market with its Pentax Q camera, which the Japanese camera maker claims to be the “world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera system.”

Boasting of 12.4 megapixels and full HD movie recording, the Pentax Q camera is smaller than Sony’s NEX, a camera that previously held the title of “smallest” mirrorless interchangeable lens system as the product fits snugly in the palm of one’s hand.

But Pentax went further with its device. It features a set of lens that is very tiny, and includes prime, fisheye and zoom lenses.

Mounting these lenses is made possible through an even smaller 1/2.3” image sensor—tinier than those used in Micro Four Thirds system of Panasonic GF1 and Olympus Pen cameras and the APS-C system used by Sony in its NEX and Samsung in its NX11.

According to William Sia, president and CEO of SuperEast Asia Enterprise, the local company that distributes Pentax cameras, the new compact camera has Pentax’s new “Q” technology, which represents another evolution in interchangeable lens digital design.

These types of camera have been gaining popularity among consumers, and Pentax is focusing on users who want the versatility and precision of an advanced DSLR in a body that is significantly smaller than other interchangeable lens cameras available in the market today, said Sia.

With the Q system, the camera excels in low light conditions while it significantly reduces noise when using higher sensitive ISO settings.

Though it looks more like a toy DSLR, the Pentax Q has “DSLR shooting modes” such as program, aperture/shutter priority, and metered manual exposure control.

Other features include a variety of creative modes and Smart Effect options that will further enhance photos. Choose from Brilliant Color, Vintage Color, Warm Fade, Bold Monochrome and Water Color, which you can assign to the Q’s quick dial for easy access.

The small and lightweight Pentax Q, which boasts of scratch-resistant magnesium alloy body, retails for P39,999 and comes with a kit lens.