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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced October 2020
  • Older Model is Nikon Z6
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2014
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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon Z6 II versus Pentax Q-S1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z6 II (25MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the Z6 II (Full frame) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The Z6 II was launched 6 years after the Q-S1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z6 II 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 concise synopsis of how the Z6 II grades against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Pentax Q-S1

 Z6 II Q-S1 
IntroducedOctober 2020August 2014Newer by 76 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kSharper screen (+1640k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon Z6 II

 Q-S1 Z6 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Pentax Q-S1

 Z6 II Q-S1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z6 II offers physical measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements 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 Z6 II versus Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the Z6 II versus the Q-S1.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 II and Q-S1 is 61 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z6 II and Q-S1.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z6 II because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Nikon Z6 II will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 13MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger Z6 II is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
46
you can focus manually
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (203g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z6 II
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z6 II
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
66
environment sealing
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
high megapixels (25MP)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (203g)
built-in flash
not so great battery (250 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z6 II
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
82
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (203 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external mic support
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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon Z6 Mark IIPentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Pentax Q-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-10-14 2014-08-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6048 x 4024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 273 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 15 8
Crop factor 1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 14.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, 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
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 gr (1.55 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
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 410 photos 250 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type CFexpress Type B / XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Two 1
Pricing at launch $1,997 $250