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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Introduced August 2014
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Following is a extensive review of the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The Q-S1 was released 2 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the Q-S1 matches up vs the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 Q-S1 NEX-C3 
IntroducedAugust 2014August 2011More modern by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 NEX-C3 Q-S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-C3

 Q-S1 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q-S1 features external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the Q-S1 vs the NEX-C3.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q-S1 and NEX-C3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q-S1 and NEX-C3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Q-S1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-C3 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern Q-S1 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
46
has manual focus
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
79
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography information
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (400 shots)
max fps low (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
71
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (203g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
27
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Pentax Q-S1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q-S1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-08-04 2011-08-22
Body design 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 dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 203g (0.45 lbs) 225g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 250 photos 400 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $250 $343