Canon A4000 IS vs Pentax MX-1

Here is a extended analysis of the Canon A4000 IS versus Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the A4000 IS (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the A4000 IS (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The A4000 IS was manufactured 17 months before the MX-1 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the A4000 IS matches up vs the MX-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A4000 IS & Pentax MX-1. The entire galleries are available at Canon A4000 IS Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A4000 IS has physical dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

See the Canon A4000 IS versus Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the A4000 IS versus the MX-1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A4000 IS and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Usually, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A4000 IS and MX-1.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A4000 IS due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Canon A4000 IS will show extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older A4000 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.