• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon S520 advantages over Pentax Q7

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    115g vs 200g
    Lighter weight

Pentax Q7 advantages over Nikon S520

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 250 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 154k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    12.4 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 2000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon S520

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q7
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses
All Q7 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NV30

Nikon S520
Samsung NV30
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S520 vs Samsung NV30

Pentax Q7
Samsung NV30
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Samsung NV30

Compared to Sony DSC-W120

Nikon S520
Sony DSC-W120
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon S520 vs Sony DSC-W120

Pentax Q7
Sony DSC-W120
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Sony DSC-W120

Compared to Canon SD1200 IS

Nikon S520
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S520 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Pentax Q7
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Compared to Nikon S2

Nikon S520
Nikon S2
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S520 vs Nikon S2

Pentax Q7
Nikon S2
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon S2

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S520
Pentax Q-S1
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S520 vs Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q7
Pentax Q-S1
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Pentax Q-S1

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