Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q
87 Imaging
49 Features
79 Overall
61


93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 381g - 111 x 65 x 33mm
- Announced March 2014
- Replaced the Nikon 1 V2
(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
- Launched June 2011
- Later Model is Pentax Q10

Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Nikon 1 V3 versus Pentax Q, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the 1 V3 (18MP) and Q (12MP) and the 1 V3 (1") and Q (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

The 1 V3 was announced 2 years after the Q which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the 1 V3 grades versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 V3 & Pentax Q. The whole galleries are available at Nikon 1 V3 Gallery & Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V3 over the Pentax Q
1 V3 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2014 | ![]() | June 2011 | More modern by 34 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+577k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon 1 V3
Q | 1 V3 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 V3 and Pentax Q
1 V3 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 V3 provides exterior measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 381 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
See the Nikon 1 V3 versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 V3 against the Q.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V3 and Q is 87 and 93 respectively.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading specifications. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 V3 and Q.
Plainly, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1 V3 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon 1 V3 will offer greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer 1 V3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Nikon 1 V3 | Pentax Q | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon 1 V3 | Pentax Q |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2014-03-13 | 2011-06-23 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 4A | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5232 x 3488 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 171 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Pentax Q |
Number of lenses | 13 | 8 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
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 | 60.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 381g (0.84 lb) | 180g (0.40 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 65 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | 47 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.8 | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.7 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light score | 384 | 189 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 230 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20a | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $997 | $695 |