• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax Q advantages over Canon N2

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 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.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon N2 advantages over Pentax Q

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon N2
Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (White)
All N2 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 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

Canon N2
Pentax Q10
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon N2 vs Pentax Q10

Compared to Canon N

Pentax Q
Canon N
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax Q vs Canon N

Canon N2
Canon N
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon N2 vs Canon N

Compared to 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

Canon N2
Pentax Q7
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon N2 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q
Pentax Q-S1
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q-S1

Canon N2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon N2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Compared to Nikon S6900

Pentax Q
Nikon S6900
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • RAW file ability
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax Q vs Nikon S6900

Canon N2
Nikon S6900
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer exposure
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon N2 vs Nikon S6900

Compare Other Cameras?