• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Canon G5X

  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    203g vs 377g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G5X advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.

  • Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Pentax Q-S1
Pentax Q7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
Canon G5X
Pentax Q7
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax Q-S1
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G5X
Samsung NX Mini
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon S2

Pentax Q-S1
Nikon S2
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G5X
Nikon S2
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Pentax Q-S1
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe
  • $933
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G5X
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $933
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Pentax Q-S1
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G5X
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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