Ricoh Slaps a New Coat of Paint and Some Aluminum on the Pentax Q7, Calls It the Q-S1
Ricoh last night unveiled the newest camera in its portable Q-Series line of mirrorless shooters: the Pentax Q-S1. The new camera is beautiful, and extremely customizable in that regard, but if you were hoping for serious hardware improvements, you might be left wanting.
Basically, without meaning to sound too harsh, the Q-S1 is a Q7 with a few alterations and a new coat of paint… or rather 40 different ones you get to choose from if that’s your thing.
Inside is the same 12.4-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor and Q Engine processor found in the Q7. Even the 100-12800 ISO range, 3-inch 460K-dot LCD and 5-15mm (27.5-83mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.5 kit lens is the same.
Where the changes come is on the outside, where the design is more aesthetically pleasing, features an aluminum quick dial and grip, and is extremely customizable through Ricoh’s “color to order” service.
In one sense, the Q-S1 is a great Q-Series system. It seems to be built of sturdier stuff, looks better, and features the same upgraded 1/1.7-inch sensor that the Q7 made headlines for. But for those hoping that the next Q-series camera would bring yet another sensor size upgrade, it has to be at least a little bit of a let down.
The Q-S1 will be available this month starting at $400 for the body only, $500 in a kit with the 5-15mm lens, or $700 in a kit with the 5-15mm and a telephoto 15-45mm (83-249mm equivalent) f/2.8. To find out more about the camera, read the full press release for yourself by clicking here or click on the links in this paragraph to pre-order yours now.
