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Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J1
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J3
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 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the 1 J2 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the 1 J2 (1") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J2 was announced 24 months earlier than the Q-S1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the 1 J2 matches up versus the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Pentax Q-S1

 1 J2 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon 1 J2

 Q-S1 1 J2 
IntroducedAugust 2014August 2012Fresher by 24 months

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Pentax Q-S1

 1 J2 Q-S1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J2 offers outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

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Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the 1 J2 against the Q-S1.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J2 and Q-S1 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J2 and Q-S1.

As you can see, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 1 J2 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax Q-S1 will show more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older 1 J2 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J2
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
46
manual focus
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography advice
49
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (1")
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery (230 per charge)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J2
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
flash built-in
low battery (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
56
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery (230 shots)
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon 1 J2Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon 1 J2 Pentax Q-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-08-09 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 135 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Available lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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 synchronize 1/60s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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
Mic support
Headphone support
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 238 gr (0.52 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Physical 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 score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 363 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $550 $250