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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced July 2020
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and Q (12MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was unveiled 9 years later than the Q and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the Z5 scores against the Q in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax Q

 Z5 Q 
RevealedJuly 2020June 2011Fresher by 111 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon Z5

 Q Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q

 Z5 Q 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 enjoys outside measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the Z5 compared to the Q.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and Q is 62 and 93 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and Q.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z5 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 12MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher Z5 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q Portrait photography factors
85
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
45
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery life (470 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery life (470 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than others (180g)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good battery life (470 per charge)
has dual storage slots
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Pentax Q
34
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (180g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q
 Nikon Z5Pentax Q
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax Q
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-07-20 2011-06-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 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 6016 x 4016 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 273 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax Q
Total lenses 15 8
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 @ 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Launch cost $1,399 $695