• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 125 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon S550 advantages over Pentax Q

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 31 mm
    Thinner

Pentax Q advantages over Nikon S550

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k 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 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S550

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 8.5mm Lens
All Q Deals

Review Excerpt

  • The first genuinely compact--almost pocket-friendly--compact system camera, paired with equally small, interchangeable lenses. Great ergonomics for the size, and it feels like a real camera, not a computer with a lens.

  • Very restrictive lens selection at launch. All but two current lenses have severe limitations in functionality. Performance is sluggish, and image quality trails large-sensor cameras by some distance.

  • Read our Pentax Q Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax M50

Nikon S550
Pentax M50
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S550 vs Pentax M50

Pentax Q
Pentax M50
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • RAW file ability
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax M50

Compared to Ricoh R50

Nikon S550
Ricoh R50
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S550 vs Ricoh R50

Pentax Q
Ricoh R50
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • RAW file ability
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax Q vs Ricoh R50

Compared to Nikon S560

Nikon S550
Nikon S560
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Nikon S550 vs Nikon S560

Pentax Q
Nikon S560
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax Q vs Nikon S560

Compared to Pentax Q10

Nikon S550
Pentax Q10
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • RAW file ability

Compare Nikon S550 vs Pentax Q10

Pentax Q
Pentax Q10
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q10

Compared to Pentax Q7

Nikon S550
Pentax Q7
  • $195
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S550 vs Pentax Q7

Pentax Q
Pentax Q7
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q7

Compare Other Cameras?