Pentax Q10 announced

Just over a year after Pentax unveiled the Pentax Q, the world's smallest, lightest compact system camera (CSC), the company has announced the Pentax Q10.

Pentax claims this new interchangeable lens camera delivers higher quality images and better AF performance, thanks to a new CMOS imaging sensor and an upgraded AF algorithm.

Like the Pentax Q, the Pentax Q10 has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 12.4 million effective pixels, but the new camera has a back-illuminated sensor, which should mean less image noise. Nevertheless, Pentax hasn't pushed the maximum sensitivity level beyond the ISO 6400 maximum of the Q.

Although its exterior is very similar to the Pentax Q's, the Pentax Q10 has a new grip to enable it to be held more steadily in the hand.

Improved autofocus

Pentax claims that the improved noise performance of the imaging sensor and a new AF algorithm enables the Pentax Q10 to focus more quickly than its predecessor.

An AF Assist Light on the camera body is also designed to improve focusing accuracy in low light, while the Face Recognition AF function automatically detects up to 12 faces and pinpoints the focus on the main subject.

Exposure control

Though it offers the aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure modes loved by experienced photographers, the Pentax Q10 also has 21 user-selectable scene modes. There's also Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode to use.

Digital effects

As with the Pentax Q, there are several ways to apply effects to images with the Pentax Q10. The Custom Image function, for example, gives you a choice of nine modes, including Bleach Bypass, which produces a dramatic, movie-like finish.

There are also 11 digital filters such as Toy Camera, Invert Color and Posterization, which can be applied while shooting still images and movie clips. A further eight can be applied during playback.

These are in addition to the nine Smart Effect modes, including Brilliant Color and Cross Process, which can be applied and previewed at the shooting stage.

Four of these options can be assigned for access via the quick-dial on the front of the camera.

Bokeh control

Having a small sensor means that depth of field control is somewhat limited, but the Pentax Q10 features the brand's unique bokeh control function that was debuted with the Pentax Q. This sets the camera to automatically apply blur to areas that it calculates would be out of focus with a camera that has a larger sensor.

Price and availability

The Pentax Q10 will be available from early October in white, black and red. As yet we have no body-only price, suggesting that Pentax doesn't expect Q owners to upgrade.

With the 5-15mm lens, the Pentax Q10 is set to retail for £379.99, while the twin lens kit with the additional 15-45mm lens will retail for £539.99.