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Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Released June 2022
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q
  • Later Model is Pentax Q7
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Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Nikon Z30 and Pentax Q10, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the Z30 (APS-C) and Q10 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The Z30 was unveiled 9 years after the Q10 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Z30 scores vs the Q10 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Pentax Q10

 Z30 Q10 
ReleasedJune 2022September 2012Newer by 120 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Nikon Z30

 Q10 Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Pentax Q10

 Z30 Q10 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display size3.00"3"Same display measurement

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z30 provides outer measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Pentax Q10 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z30 and Pentax Q10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Z30 and the Q10.

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and Q10 is 79 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and Q10.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z30 having a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z30 will offer extra detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher Z30 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Portrait photography camera
81
has manual focus
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
48
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z30
Street photography with Pentax Q10
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average (405g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (200g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q10 Sports photography advice
76
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
36
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Travel photography camera
78
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent MP (21 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
more heavy than average (405 grams)
60
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
built-in flash
low battery pack (270 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography information
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
decent MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
54
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging info
Pentax Q10 Vlogging info
73
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average (405g)
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Nikon Z30 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Pentax Q10
 Nikon Z30Pentax Q10
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z30 Pentax Q10
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2022-06-29 2012-09-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 12 megapixel
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 6400
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax Q
Total lenses 35 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.00 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405g (0.89 lbs) 200g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 183
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 270 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $650 $350