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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Updated by Sony a5000
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NEX-3N (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The Q-S1 was unveiled 18 months after the NEX-3N which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the Q-S1 grades vs the NEX-3N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony NEX-3N

 Q-S1 NEX-3N 
RevealedAugust 2014February 2013More modern by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Pentax Q-S1

 NEX-3N Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-3N

 Q-S1 NEX-3N 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax Q-S1 features outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the Q-S1 vs the NEX-3N.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and NEX-3N is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q-S1 and NEX-3N.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-3N will give you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer Q-S1 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
46
you can focus manually
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
66
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
77
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography info
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (480 per charge)
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3N
60
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery (250 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
good battery (480 shots)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (480 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging highlights
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (203g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-08-04 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Q Engine Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q Sony E
Number of lenses 8 121
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.90 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 203 grams (0.45 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 250 photos 480 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $250 $399