• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 69 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    23 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

Pentax Q-S1
Sony NEX-3
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Samsung NX100

Pentax Q-S1
Samsung NX100
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX100

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Pentax Q-S1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Pentax Q7

Sony NEX-5
Pentax Q7
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Pentax Q7

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

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Nikon S2

Sony NEX-5
Nikon S2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs 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

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Nikon S2

Compare Other Cameras?