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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Released August 2014
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5N
Photography Glossary

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NEX-5 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The Q-S1 was introduced 4 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the Q-S1 matches up vs the NEX-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony NEX-5

 Q-S1 NEX-5 
LaunchedAugust 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax Q-S1

 NEX-5 Q-S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-5

 Q-S1 NEX-5 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax Q-S1 features outside dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax Q-S1 versus Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the Q-S1 vs the NEX-5.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and NEX-5 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The graphic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q-S1 and NEX-5.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Q-S1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5 will offer you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer Q-S1 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (203g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/1.7")
76
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Sports photography camera
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
52
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition (203g)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
59
good MP (14MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 shots)
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (203g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing mic support
28
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-08-04 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Q Engine Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 203g (0.45 pounds) 287g (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 250 images 330 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $250 $599