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Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon 1 J1
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 J3
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Nikon 1 J2 versus Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 1 J2 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly well matched but the 1 J2 (1") and Q (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The 1 J2 was manufactured 14 months later than the Q making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the 1 J2 grades against the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Pentax Q

 1 J2 Q 
AnnouncedAugust 2012June 2011Fresher by 14 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon 1 J2

 Q 1 J2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Pentax Q

 1 J2 Q 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J2 has exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 J2 versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the 1 J2 against the Q.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J2 and Q is 91 and 93 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J2 and Q.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 J2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax Q will resolve more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer 1 J2 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
45
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (238 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (1")
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
60
lighter than others in class (238g)
built-in flash
bad battery (230 per charge)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q Landscape photography details
56
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 shots)
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
30
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (238 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Pentax Q
 Nikon 1 J2Pentax Q
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon 1 J2 Pentax Q
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-09 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Available lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/2000 secs
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 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238g (0.52 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 11.1
DXO Low light score 363 189
Other
Battery life 230 shots 230 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $550 $695