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Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Previous Model is Nikon 1 J2
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J4
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty similar but the 1 J3 (1") and Q (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J3 was unveiled 2 years after the Q which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the 1 J3 scores against the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Pentax Q

 1 J3 Q 
ReleasedNovember 2013June 2011Newer by 30 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon 1 J3

 Q 1 J3 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q

 1 J3 Q 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J3 offers outer dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the 1 J3 against the Q.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J3 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The pic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J3 and Q.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J3 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon 1 J3 will offer you extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 1 J3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
58
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
70
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (201 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
57
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low battery power (220 CIPA)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (201 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery power (220 CIPA)
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (201g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q
 Nikon 1 J3Pentax Q
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon 1 J3 Pentax Q
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-11-30 2011-06-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 160 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 135 25
Cross focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Available lenses 13 8
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 15.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/60 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 201 gr (0.44 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 47
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 11.1
DXO Low light score 420 189
Other
Battery life 220 images 230 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $170 $695