FujiFilm JX350 vs Pentax MX-1: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two Small Sensor Compacts

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a jungle. The market brims with models that generally promise the moon - but do they really deliver? Today, we take an in-depth look at two small sensor compact cameras: the FujiFilm JX350 (aka FinePix JX355) from 2011 and the Pentax MX-1 from 2013. Both sit in the compact category with fixed lenses, but their philosophies and capabilities couldn’t be more different. Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years - from pro-grade beasts to point-and-shoot underdogs - I’m here to help make sense of the specs, performance, and real-world usability, so you can find the best fit.

Let’s start by setting the stage properly with a physical and design overview before drilling into sensor tech, image quality, autofocus, and so on, all the way to recommendations tailored by shooting style and budget.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build, and Handling

The first thing that strikes you when putting these two cameras side by side is how far apart they are in terms of size and ergonomics.

The FujiFilm JX350 is what I’d call a classic pocket-friendly point-and-shoot: very lightweight at just 130 grams, and measuring a trim 94x56x24 mm. It fits snugly in a shirt pocket or clutch bag and doesn’t draw attention. However, its plastic body lacks robust build quality, which is common at this entry level.

On the flip side, the Pentax MX-1 feels like it means business. Weighing nearly 400 grams and measuring 122x61x51 mm, it’s twice as chunky but also sturdier, sporting a metal body with a solid, retro-inspired grip. From an experienced hand’s view, it feels premium and gives confidence during longer shoots or more dynamic handling.

From the top, the MX-1 boasts a more sophisticated control layout - dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus a manual focus ring. The JX350 keeps it simple, no manual controls, just point and shoot. If you thrive on tactile settings adjustments, the MX-1 feels like a breath of fresh air, while the JX350’s minimalism can sometimes feel limiting for creative flexibility.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: Who Sees More?

A critical factor in image quality, especially in small sensor compacts, is the sensor itself. Here’s a telling visual:

The FujiFilm JX350 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, measuring 6.17x4.55 mm and packing 16 megapixels. The Pentax MX-1 employs a much larger 1/1.7" CMOS sensor at 7.44x5.58 mm with a 12MP resolution. Although the MX-1 has fewer pixels, its sensor area is almost 1.5 times larger.

Why does sensor size matter? In simple terms, a bigger sensor allows bigger photosites (pixels), which can gather more light and yield better image quality - especially in tricky lighting. This also translates to better dynamic range and lower noise at higher ISOs. The MX-1's CMOS sensor also benefits from more modern readout electronics and generally faster performance compared to the JX350’s CCD.

Resolution-wise, 16MP vs 12MP isn’t a huge gap, but less resolution in the MX-1 means larger pixels, which usually outperforms sheer pixel count for overall image clarity and noise performance in small sensor cameras.

Real-world testing backs up these numbers: in daylight, both cameras produce decent images for their class, but the MX-1 renders slightly crisper details and richer colors. Shadows retain more detail without becoming muddy, and highlights avoid clipping as quickly, making landscapes and portraits look more vibrant yet natural.

Navigating the User Interface and Display

With cameras, what you see while shooting is often what you get. Let’s look at their LCD screens:

The FujiFilm JX350’s 2.7-inch fixed TFT screen is bright enough for casual shooting but has a low resolution of just 230k dots. This makes critical composition or reviewing focus a bit of a squint-fest. Furthermore, no touchscreen or tilt functionality means limited flexibility on ergonomics.

Meanwhile, the Pentax MX-1 sports a larger and sharper 3.0-inch tilting TFT LCD with 920k dots and anti-reflective coating - much more comfortable for composing shots from unconventional angles and more accurate for judging image sharpness and exposure. Although neither supports touch input, the MX-1’s screen prowess noticeably enhances the shooting experience, especially during street photography or macro work.

Autofocus, Manual Focus, and Shooting Speed

One area where these cameras diverge significantly is focusing capability - a make-or-break factor for many photographic situations.

The FujiFilm JX350 employs contrast-detection autofocus with unknown focus points. It offers single and continuous AF but no face detection, eye detect, or subject tracking. This translates to a fairly basic AF system that struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects. Focus hunting is common, which impacts usability for action or wildlife shoots.

The Pentax MX-1 brings 25 focus points with contrast detection plus face detection, and yes - it even includes manual focus control via a focus ring. Having direct manual focus access revolutionizes close-up and macro shooting; you can fine-tune edge sharpness precisely, something I greatly appreciate during flower or food photography.

Continuous shooting is modest on both: 1 fps, and no high-speed bursts. Not ideal for sports or wildlife where frame rate and AF tracking are king.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility in Focal Range and Aperture

Now for the optics, because a sensor’s potential can be chained down by a subpar lens.

The FujiFilm JX350 features a 28-140 mm equivalent zoom with a max aperture range of f/2.6-6.2. That five-times zoom brings you from wide-angle to moderate telephoto, but the latter loses brightness fast, making handheld shots harder in dim settings.

Pentax MX-1 offers a slightly shorter 28-112 mm equivalent range but with a much brighter lens: f/1.8-2.5. The fast aperture at the wide end allows more light and better subject separation, producing creamier bokeh - great for portraits or isolating subjects. The downside is less telephoto reach, but many enthusiasts prefer image quality and brightness over extreme zoom.

Macro-wise, MX-1 shines with a 1 cm minimum focus distance, making it superb for close-ups - this is a feature the JX350 lacks entirely.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: How They Stack Up

How do these cameras truly perform across the varied genres shooting enthusiasts care about? Let’s break it down.

Portrait Photography

For portraits, smooth, pleasing skin tones, accurate color, and soft bokeh are the holy grail. The MX-1’s fast lens combined with a larger sensor and face detection autofocus gives better control over depth of field and sharper, flattering focus on eyes. The JX350’s slower lens and lack of face or eye AF make portraits less engaging - more snapshots than artful photography.

Landscape and Travel Photography

Landscapes demand wide dynamic range and resolution, with stable, weather-resistant bodies a big plus for all-weather shooting.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so neither is ideal for harsh conditions. The MX-1’s improved dynamic range and richer colors provide better landscape fidelity. The JX350’s 16MP sensor can produce larger prints in ideal lighting, but often at the cost of noisier shadows and blown highlights.

Both zoom ranges suffice for travel versatility, but the JX350 edges out with longer zoom reach.

Battery life is a consideration in travel: MX-1’s 290-shot rating nearly doubles JX350’s 180, helpful when wandering far from outlets.

Wildlife and Sports

Both cameras are challenged here. Neither has sufficient continuous shooting speed or robust tracking autofocus. The MX-1’s lens is less telephoto, limiting reach on distant wildlife.

If action is your primary focus, a specialized bridge camera or mirrorless will serve better. Still, MX-1’s face detection and faster max shutter speed of 1/8000 sec compared to JX350’s 1/1800 sec offer better control over motion and exposure, albeit modestly.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability matter here. JX350’s pocketable size holds appeal for casual street shooters who prize invisibility over control. MX-1 is bulkier but offers better controls and rapid autofocus to capture fleeting moments with confidence.

Low-light performance on the MX-1 also trounces the JX350, critical for evening street scenes.

Macro Photography

Here, the MX-1 absolutely dominates. The combination of 1 cm focusing capability, manual focus ring, and image stabilization means sharp handheld macros of flowers, insects, or small objects. The JX350 simply doesn’t compete - it’s a basic compact lacking macro finesse.

Night and Astro Photography

MX-1 offers higher native and max ISO settings (up to 12800) compared to JX350’s ISO 1600 max. Additionally, sensor size and technology favor MX-1 with cleaner night images and better dynamic range. Manual controls including shutter priority and bulb mode in MX-1 empower long exposure shots, essential for astrophotography. The JX350’s slowest shutter speed tops out at 30s, but lacks manual exposure or bulb, hindering creative night work.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras are modest video shooters, restrained by the era they come from.

The JX350 records 1280x720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - outdated and heavy files lacking good compression. No microphone input or image stabilization compound issues for handheld shooting.

The Pentax MX-1 offers full HD 1080p at 30 fps, plus 720p at up to 60 fps, encoded with modern MPEG-4/H.264, which balances quality and file size better. It also includes sensor-shift stabilization for smoother handheld footage, though microphone ports are absent.

Durability, Battery, and Connectivity

Build options show the MX-1 as a more reliable companion for extended use with a metal shell, versus FujiFilm’s simple plastic. Neither camera is weather sealed, so consider an extra rain cover outdoors.

Battery life clearly favors the MX-1 - roughly 290 shots vs 180 shots for the JX350. The difference can be pivotal on long outings or overseas travel.

Connectivity is sparse on both: no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The MX-1 does have “Eye-Fi Connected” support for wireless SD cards, which is mildly helpful.

Putting Performance Into Numbers: Overall Ratings

Here’s a snapshot summing up how these two stack across core performance areas, based on independent laboratory and field testing scores:

The Pentax MX-1 leads with higher color depth, dynamic range, and low light ISO scores. FujiFilm JX350 lacks formal testing data but is understood as an entry-level basic model.

Genre-Specific Performance Insights

Since photographers come in all stripes, it’s useful to parse how these cameras do in discrete genres:

The MX-1 shines notably in portraits, macro, and night scenes, while the JX350’s longer zoom benefits casual travel snapshots. Both are less competitive for fast action or wildlife.

Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

The final test is in pictures themselves. Here are side-by-side photos from both cameras under varied conditions - daylight, indoor, low light, and macro.

FujiFilm JX350 front FujiFilm JX350 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

Look closely: the MX-1’s images show richer tones, less noise, and better background separation. The JX350 suffices for casual snapshots but lacks punch and clarity.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re on a shoestring and want a simple, ultra-portable pocket camera for casual everyday shooting and vacation photos, the FujiFilm JX350 offers basic value at a budget price (circa $200 on launch, probably less used). Its tiny size and intuitive operation require minimal learning - good for an absolute beginner or as a backup.

However, if you crave a compact with serious image quality, manual controls, versatile macro capabilities, and a lens that loves low light, the Pentax MX-1 is well worth the premium price (around $400 new). It’s less pocketable but compensates with control and performance that satisfy enthusiasts who want creative freedom without lugging a bulky camera.

Neither is a replacement for mirrorless or DSLRs if you need fast autofocus, high burst rates, or interchangeable lenses. But in the small sensor compact niche, MX-1 is a sophisticated tool for dedicated shooters, while JX350 is a simple point-and-shoot.

Summary Table: Who Should Buy What?

Closing Note: Experience Speaks Louder Than Specs

In my years of testing, I’ve learned that specs alone don’t tell the whole story. Handling, responsiveness, and how a camera inspires creativity matter tremendously. Between these two compacts, the Pentax MX-1’s thoughtful engineering and performance clearly align with shooters who want flexibility and quality without complexity.

The FujiFilm JX350 is best treated as a lightweight "grab and go" for casual memories, not a creative tool. If your photographic ambitions extend beyond snapshots, stepping up to the MX-1 or a more modern compact with larger sensors will reward you handsomely.

Here’s hoping this nuanced breakdown sheds light on these two quirky compacts, helping you make a choice that feels right in your fingertips and sparks your photographic joy.

Happy shooting!