• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Nikon AW1

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon AW1 advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.86 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    428 vs 208 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW1

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.

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
Nikon AW1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

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
Nikon AW1
Canon G15
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon J3

Pentax MX-1
Nikon J3
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

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
Nikon AW1
Canon G16
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon V3

Pentax MX-1
Nikon V3
  • $1289
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
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