Clicky

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
56
Overall
47
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Updated by Nikon 1 S2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Nikon 1 S1 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 1 S1 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 1 S1 (1") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor sizing.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The 1 S1 was launched 13 months before the Q-S1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 1 S1 scores against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

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

 1 S1 Q-S1 

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

 Q-S1 1 S1 
LaunchedAugust 2014June 2013More modern by 13 months

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

 1 S1 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S1 offers external dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 S1 and Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the 1 S1 vs the Q-S1.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

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

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

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The image below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S1 and Q-S1.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1 S1 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged 1 S1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
48
you can focus manually
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
46
focusing manually
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
69
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (197g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
49
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
low battery pack (220 per charge)
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than others in class (197 grams)
flash built-in
low battery pack (220 per charge)
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (203g)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
56
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
low battery pack (220 per charge)
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (197g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (203g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone socket
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Nikon 1 S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon 1 S1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon 1 S1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-21 2014-08-04
Physical type 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 surface area 116.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 135 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/60 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 197 gr (0.43 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 397 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 250 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $231 $250