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

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Pentax Q7

  • 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
    ~ 4.82 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 430 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
  • More pixels
    16.1 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
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax Q7 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Wider angle kit lens
    23 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • 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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Buy the Sony NEX-5N

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax Q7
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses
All Q7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax Q7, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Pentax Q7 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Pentax Q7
Sony NEX-3
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Pentax Q7
Sony NEX-C3
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Pentax Q7
Sony NEX-5R
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon S2

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon S2

Pentax Q7
Nikon S2
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon S2

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Sony NEX-5N
Pentax Q-S1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Pentax Q-S1

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

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Pentax Q-S1

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