Pentax Q digital camera in the palm of your hand

(Updated 8 p.m.) Pentax launched on Wednesday its “cutest compact camera" — the Pentax Q, dubbed as the world’s smallest interchangeable lens digital camera that fits in the palm of your hand. The Pentax Q boasts of 12.4 megapixels for high-quality still images and full 1080p HD video. Yet the mirrorless digital camera is packed into a small and lightweight scratch resistant magnesium alloy body you can take anywhere. At 98 x 58 x 31 mm (3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 inches), the camera weighs 235 g (8.2 oz.) including memory card, battery, and lens. However, its size, coupled with small buttons, might make the Q difficult for ham-handed photogs.

Kathleen D. Tan, Super East Asia Enterprises Inc. marketing manager, believes that the Pentax Q, billed as the world's smallest digital camera with interchangeable lens, has the potential to carve a niche in the Philippines’ point-and-shoot market. Victor D. Sollorano

Experienced photographers get to enjoy the power and flexibility of traditional digital single lens reflex (DSLR) shooting modes such as program, aperture/ shutter priority, and metered manual exposure control. On the other hand, beginners and casual shooters will appreciate the highly convenient automatic modes such as the “set-it-and-forget-it" Auto Picture and 21 other scene modes. But if you want to slip the Pentax Q into your pocket, then you would have to remove the lens and the Q ends up weighing only 198 g (7 oz) Users can choose from a range of lenses, including prime, zoom, fisheye lenses and more that will suit their style, preference and photographic needs. The Q Mount Lens system is a standard kit that includes the 8.5mm lens (equivalent to 47mm). A large three-inch LCD view screen almost covers the entire back of the Pentax Q. A built-in flash pops up to brighten shots up to 23 feet at ISO 200. It really does look like an itsy-bitsy toy! But this toy would set you back P39,990. A hefty price for such a petite delight which is probably only for enthusiasts who consider “cuteness" a plus. —Marlon Anthony Tonson/VS, GMA News