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Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
84
Imaging
40
Features
68
Overall
51
Nikon 1 V1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 383g - 113 x 76 x 44mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Successor is Nikon 1 V2
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
  • Announced August 2014
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon 1 V1 versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the 1 V1 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the 1 V1 (1") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The 1 V1 was launched 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the 1 V1 matches up against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 1 V1 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon 1 V1

 Q-S1 1 V1 
AnnouncedAugust 2014January 2012Newer by 30 months

Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Pentax Q-S1

 1 V1 Q-S1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 V1 enjoys outside measurements of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") and a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 V1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the 1 V1 against the Q-S1.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 V1 and Q-S1 is 84 and 92 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 V1 and Q-S1.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 1 V1 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax Q-S1 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged 1 V1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
46
focusing manually
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
62
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography factors
53
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
41
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition (203g)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon 1 V1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon 1 V1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-20 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias 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 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 135 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Available lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 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 jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 383 gr (0.84 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 346 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $670 $250