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Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Nikon 1 J1 versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the 1 J1 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the 1 J1 (1") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J1 was brought out 3 years prior to the Q-S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the 1 J1 matches up against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 1 J1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon 1 J1

 Q-S1 1 J1 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2012More modern by 30 months

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Pentax Q-S1

 1 J1 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J1 offers exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 J1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J1 vs the Q-S1.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and Q-S1.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will offer you more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged 1 J1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
48
you can focus manually
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
46
you can focus manually
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
69
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (234 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Travel photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
60
lighter than others in class (234g)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
bad battery power (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (234 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of mic socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon 1 J1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Pentax Q-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-01-20 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 135 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234 grams (0.52 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 372 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 250 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $625 $250