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Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Nikon Z fc front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Introduced June 2021
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
  • Revealed August 2014
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Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Nikon Z fc versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the Z fc (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The Z fc was launched 7 years after the Q-S1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Z fc scores versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Pentax Q-S1

 Z fc Q-S1 
RevealedJune 2021August 2014More modern by 84 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon Z fc

 Q-S1 Z fc 

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Pentax Q-S1

 Z fc Q-S1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z fc provides outer measurements of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") along with a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z fc versus Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z fc versus the Q-S1.

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z fc and Q-S1 is 79 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z fc and Q-S1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z fc featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z fc will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer Z fc should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z fc Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
82
manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
46
has manual focus
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z fc
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
74
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (445g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z fc Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
68
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
72
supports bluetooth
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (300 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (445g)
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
low battery life (250 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
74
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
features face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone port
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (445g)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
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Nikon Z fc vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon Z fcPentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z fc Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2021-06-28 2014-08-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Q Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 209 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax Q
Available lenses 21 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 445 gr (0.98 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $949 $250