• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-5R 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
    ~ 4.78 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • 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 Q-S1 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $750 (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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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-C3

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-C3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax Q-S1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax Q-S1
Sony NEX-5N
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Pentax Q-S1
Canon EOS M
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax Q7

Sony NEX-5R
Pentax Q7
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax Q-S1
Pentax Q7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compared to Nikon S2

Sony NEX-5R
Nikon S2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Pentax Q-S1
Nikon S2
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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