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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
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
  • Announced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a in-depth review of the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and Q (12MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z50 was manufactured 8 years later than the Q and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Z50 grades versus the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax Q

 Z50 Q 
AnnouncedOctober 2019June 2011More recent by 102 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Nikon Z50

 Q Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax Q

 Z50 Q 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 features exterior measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax Q in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the Z50 and the Q.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and Q is 74 and 93 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and Q.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z50 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z50 will produce extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent Z50 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
80
manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
45
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography information
Pentax Q Street photography information
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (397 grams)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
75
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
77
environment proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
resolution is good (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than average (397g)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (230 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic jack
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax Q
 Nikon Z50Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax Q
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-10 2011-06-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax Q
Available lenses 15 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 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 PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 320 pictures 230 pictures
Battery style Built-in 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 card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $857 $695