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Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Samsung NX500 front
Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Key Specs

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
  • Launched August 2014
Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX300
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and NX500 (28MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NX500 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The Q-S1 was launched 6 months earlier than the NX500 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the Q-S1 scores versus the NX500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Samsung NX500

 Q-S1 NX500 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Pentax Q-S1

 NX500 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1036k460kClearer screen (+576k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Samsung NX500

 Q-S1 NX500 
LaunchedAugust 2014February 2015Similar age
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax Q-S1 offers outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Samsung NX500 has sizing of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the Q-S1 compared to the NX500.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and NX500 is 92 and 87 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The visual here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and NX500.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Q-S1 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Samsung NX500 will offer more detail utilizing its extra 16 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Samsung NX500
46
manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
80
focusing manually
sensor resolution is high (28 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
Samsung NX500 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
Sports photography with Samsung NX500
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
75
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is high (28 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
Samsung NX500 Travel photography details
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
low battery (250 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is high (28MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography info
Samsung NX500 Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 per charge)
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is high (28MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
Samsung NX500 Vlogging features
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
34
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Samsung NX500
 Pentax Q-S1Samsung NX500
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Q-S1 Samsung NX500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-08-04 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Q Engine DRIMe 5
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 28 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6480 x 4320
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 209
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Samsung NX
Available lenses 8 32
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,036k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.90 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 203g (0.45 lbs) 287g (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1379
Other
Battery life 250 images 370 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $250 $800