• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Pentax Q7

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax Q7 advantages over Nikon S9100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q7

Review Excerpt

  • Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.

  • Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax Q7, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100
Pentax RZ18
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels
Pentax Q7
Pentax RZ18
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100
Panasonic ZS15
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Pentax Q7
Panasonic ZS15
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100
Canon SX280 HS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Pentax Q7
Canon SX280 HS
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon S2

Nikon S9100
Nikon S2
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Pentax Q7
Nikon S2
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S9100
Pentax Q-S1
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax Q7
Pentax Q-S1
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
Compare Other Cameras?