• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Sony QX1

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony QX1 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
    ~ 4.25 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 20.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,063 vs 208 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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.

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 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
  • 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

Buy From

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
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
Sony QX1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon G15

Pentax MX-1
Canon G15
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony QX1
Canon G15
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Pentax MX-1
Samsung NX2000
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon G16

Pentax MX-1
Canon G16
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
Sony QX1
Canon G16
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Rear display
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Pentax MX-1
Samsung NX3300
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
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