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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase 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
  • Launched July 2020
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
  • Released August 2014
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax Q-S1, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was launched 6 years after the Q-S1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the Z5 grades against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 Z5 Q-S1 
ReleasedJuly 2020August 2014Newer by 73 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon Z5

 Q-S1 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q-S1

 Z5 Q-S1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z5 comes with exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z5 compared to the Q-S1.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and Q-S1 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The image underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and Q-S1.

All in all, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon Z5 will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Z5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
85
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
46
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (470 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery (470 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition (675g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competitors in class (203g)
has built in flash
low battery power (250 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
86
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (470 CIPA)
has double storage slots
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
34
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon Z5Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax Q-S1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2020-07-20 2014-08-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 273 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 15 8
Crop factor 1 4.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set 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, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200s -
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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 470 images 250 images
Style 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 media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Two Single
Price at launch $1,399 $250