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Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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
  • Launched June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon S3100 and Pentax Q, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was brought out 4 months earlier than the Q and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S3100 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S3100 grades vs the Q in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Pentax Q

 S3100 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon S3100

 Q S3100 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Pentax Q

 S3100 Q 
LaunchedFebruary 2011June 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S3100 features physical measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S3100 and Pentax Q in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the S3100 compared to the Q.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3100 and Q is 96 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S3100 and Q.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S3100 to produce extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
48
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S3100
Sports photography with Pentax Q
32
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S3100
Travel photography with Pentax Q
65
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
57
lighter than others (180g)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
33
decently wide (26mm)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3100 Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
28
decently wide (26mm)
includes face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
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Nikon S3100 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Pentax Q
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Pentax Q
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-09 2011-06-23
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 118 gr (0.26 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 230 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $139 $695