The Pentax Q is the first interchangeable lens or mirrorless camera from Pentax, and also the world's first mirrorless camera based on a 1/2.3 inch sensor.
So far mirrorless cameras have either featured the 4:3 (17.3 x 13.0 mm; Panasonic and Olympus) or the APS-C (23.4×15.6 mmj; Samsung and Sony) sensors.
The Pentax Q features a 12.4 megapixel, backlit CMOS sensor and a newly designed Pentax Q-mount lens system.
The camera will ship with a F/1.9 PENTAX 01 Standard Prime kit lens with focal length equivalent to 47mm in the 35mm format. 
Pentax has also launched more Q lenses in addition to the prime lens. These include a 27.5-83 zoom, 35mm and 100mm 'toy' lenses and a 160-degree fisheye (All 35 mm equivalent.)
Thanks to its smaller sized sensor, the Pentax Q is now the world's smallest and lightest digital ILC The recently launched Panasonic DMC GF3 was the smallest ILC till date at 107.7 x 67.1 x 32.5 mm / 264g.
The Pentax Q's 1/2.3 inch backlit sensor puts it in the league of high end compact cameras, rather than prosumer DSLRs. However, the Pentax Q does have some impressive strappings usually associated with prosumer DSLRs:
- An optional optical viewfinder.
- A variety of creative modes - Brilliant Color, Vintage Color, Warm Fade, Bold Monochrome, and Water Color - using the Smart Effect options, or camera settings that assign to the Q’s Quick Dial located on the front of the camera.
- HDR mode capture using three exposures.
- 1080p, 30fps HD video capture.
- 5 frames per second continuous shooting mode for any fast action setting.
- A sensor-shift Shake Reduction system.
- Sensor dust reduction.
- Easy back-ground defocus (bokeh).
The Pentax Q features shutter speeds in the range from 1/2000 to 30 seconds for freezing fast action or capturing long nighttime exposures. Bulb mode adds flexibility for low light photography and motion effects.
It has a built-in popup flash and a 460K dots LCD.
The PENTAX Q will be available in white or black body. Initially, it will ship in Japan. US launch is expected in early Fall 2011 at around $800 with kit len.
The optional shoe-mounted viewfinder will be available at the same time for $249.95 USD.
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