Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Launched June 2011
- Updated by Pentax Q10
(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
- New Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly similar but the Q (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe Q was released 13 months later than the NEX-5 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Q matches up vs the NEX-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Q and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax Q Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony NEX-5
| Q | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2011 | June 2010 | Fresher by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax Q
| NEX-5 | Q | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 920k | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony NEX-5
| Q | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focusing | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Pentax Q comes with physical measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Compare the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the Q compared to the NEX-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.
Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and NEX-5.
Clearly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The younger Q provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Pentax Q | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2011-06-23 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 125 | 200 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 25 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax Q | Sony E |
| Total lenses | 8 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.60 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/2000 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 180 grams (0.40 lbs) | 287 grams (0.63 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 47 | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | 189 | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 shots | 330 shots |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | $695 | $599 |