• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Leica TL2

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Leica TL2 advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    410k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    29 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for a compact camera in its class; Sharp, bright f/1.8-2.5 lens with 4x optical zoom; Cool retro-styled design with brass top and bottom plates; Tilting LCD; Exposure compensation dial; Speedy and accurate autofocus; Full HD video recording.

  • Image detail starts dropping off noticeably above ISO 800, and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200 and beyond; Sluggish cycle times and burst performance; Issues with purple fringing in some shooting scenarios; Heavier and larger than other cameras in its class.

  • Read our Pentax MX-1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Olympus XZ-2

Leica TL2
Olympus XZ-2
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica TL2 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon G15

Pentax MX-1
Canon G15
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon G15

Leica TL2
Canon G15
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica TL2 vs Canon G15

Compared to Canon G16

Pentax MX-1
Canon G16
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon G16

Leica TL2
Canon G16
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica TL2 vs Canon G16

Compared to Samsung NX500

Pentax MX-1
Samsung NX500
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung NX500

Leica TL2
Samsung NX500
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica TL2 vs Samsung NX500

Compared to Leica TL

Pentax MX-1
Leica TL
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Leica TL

Leica TL2
Leica TL
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica TL2 vs Leica TL

Compare Other Cameras?