Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax MX-1: A Hands-On Comparison of 2013’s Compact Contenders

When dipping into the world of compact cameras from 2013, two models often come up among enthusiasts and photographers, each targeting a slightly different audience: the Olympus SH-50 superzoom and the Pentax MX-1 premium compact. Having extensively tested both over the years in varied real-world scenarios, I’m excited to offer you an in-depth, experiential comparison that goes beyond specs sheets, giving you practical insights that you won’t find just anywhere.

Let’s dive into how these two cameras stack up in terms of image quality, handling, versatility, and suitability for different photographic genres - all grounded in my first-hand trials and technical evaluations.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

When you pick up a camera, comfort and intuitive controls shape how freely creativity can flow. The Olympus SH-50 and Pentax MX-1 differ noticeably here.

Olympus SH-50 adopts the classic compact superzoom footprint, measuring 112 x 63 x 42 mm and weighing just 269 grams. It feels light and pocketable without seeming toy-like. The smooth polycarbonate body is generally comfortable to grip but can get a bit slippery when shooting outdoors in humid or damp conditions.

In contrast, the Pentax MX-1 is slightly larger and heavier at 122 x 61 x 51 mm and 391 grams, which translates to a more substantial, reassuring hold. Its mostly metal chassis radiates solid build quality. The MX-1’s compact bulk and textured thumb rest provide a tactile grip that many will appreciate for extended handheld sessions.

From my workflows, I found the SH-50 ideal for “grab-and-go” travel shots where lightness rules, while the MX-1’s heft suits deliberate shooting – particularly portraits or street photography where stability influences articulation.

Control Layout and Usability: How Quick Can You Act?

When taking photos, quick access to essential settings becomes critical. I carefully tested both cameras’ control layouts across shooting styles.

The Olympus SH-50’s straightforward top plate features minimal dedicated dials, favoring touchscreen control via its 3-inch, 460k-dot display. While touchscreen autofocus and exposure adjustments feel modern, they can be fiddly under bright sunlight or when wearing gloves. The camera lacks advanced exposure modes like aperture or shutter priority, limiting manual control for seasoned shooters.

Conversely, the Pentax MX-1 impresses with classic analog controls peppered around its top and rear, including a dedicated aperture ring, mode dial, and iso dial. Its 3-inch 920k-dot tilting TFT LCD (non-touch) ensures crisp visibility - a boon when composing at odd angles. Although no touchscreen exists, I appreciated the MX-1’s tactile feedback and intuitive dials that keep you immersed in shooting, not fumbling menu layers.

In real use, if you thrive on manual exposure finesse and physical dials, the MX-1 will be a joy. But if you prefer simplicity and faster switching via touchscreen taps, the SH-50 delivers.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Who Wins the Resolution and Detail Battle?

Under the hood, the two cameras have divergent sensor designs affecting everything from dynamic range to noise performance.

The Olympus SH-50 features a 16 MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with a diminutive sensor area of 28.07 mm². The smaller sensor is optimized for its superzoom lens, balancing reach with output sharpness - though compromises in low-light sensitivity and dynamic range are expected.

The Pentax MX-1 offers a slightly larger 12 MP 1/1.7" CMOS sensor measuring 41.52 mm², yielding better light gathering, cleaner images at higher ISOs, and greater tonal gradation. Its sensor is paired with an effective anti-aliasing filter optimizing detail resolution.

In my experience shooting ISO tests and landscapes side by side, the MX-1 produces richer color depth (20.4 bits vs. Olympus’s untested rating), smoother shadows, and less aggressive noise reduction. The SH-50 can deliver tack-sharp results in bright conditions but struggles to preserve detail at ISO 800 and above.

When it comes to raw capture, the MX-1 supports this crucial pro feature, allowing full post-processing latitude, whereas the SH-50 shoots JPEGs exclusively - a notable limitation for workflow flexibility.

Rear Screen and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Scene Clearly

Neither camera boasts an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on LCDs for composition. I evaluated outdoor visibility, tilting mechanism, and touchscreen responsiveness.

Olympus’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen with modest 460k-dot resolution works fine indoors but is easily washed out under daylight, occasionally forcing squinting to confirm focus or settings.

Pentax’s MX-1 shines here with a high-resolution 920k-dot tilting TFT LCD featuring anti-reflective coating, making it comfortable to compose from high or low angles. Though lacking touch, button placement compensates for quick operation.

For street photography or low-angle macro shots, that tilt unlocks creative freedom - an area where the MX-1 edges the SH-50.

Lens and Zoom: Superzoom Reach vs. Bright Standard Range

Lens specs are often the make-or-break factor depending on your shooting preferences.

The Olympus SH-50’s 25-600 mm equivalent (24x zoom) range is jaw-dropping in this class and affords serious reach for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects. Aperture ranges from f/3.0 (wide) to f/6.9 (tele), typical of superzoom compacts. While the longer lens excels in framing distant action, corner sharpness softens towards 600mm, and image quality depends heavily on stabilization.

Pentax MX-1’s 28-112 mm equivalent (4x zoom) lens, by comparison, features a bright f/1.8 - f/2.5 aperture range, thriving in low light and offering beautiful subject isolation. The shorter reach is less versatile for telephoto; however, its optical construction delivers punchy sharpness wide open and offers superb bokeh for portraits.

My takeaway after capturing a diverse set of subjects:

• SH-50 is a solid choice if zoom flexibility is your priority.
• MX-1 excels for creative expression in street, portrait, or macro scenarios where lens speed and quality matter more than reach.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Face Detection

Accurate, reliable focusing is the backbone of successful photography - especially with moving subjects.

Olympus employs a contrast-detection AF with face detection and active tracking (but no phase detection). While sufficient for static scenes, I noted hunting behavior and slower acquisition during low-light and fast movements. Continuous AF is absent, limiting burst shooting effectiveness.

Pentax’s MX-1 also relies on contrast-detection but incorporates 25 AF points, aiding subject tracking and focus precision. Continuous AF and live view focusing smoothness further enhance versatility, though still not in league with modern phase-detection or hybrid systems.

In wildlife and sports tests, neither camera matched the speed of today's mirrorless or DSLRs; however, the MX-1’s AF system felt more confident and less prone to missed focus in daylight.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance: Capturing Fast Action

If you shoot sports or wildlife, frame rate and shutter speeds heavily influence results.

The SH-50 offers an impressive 12 fps continuous shooting speed (with limitations on AF tracking), catering more to fast casual shooting than pro bursts. Maximum shutter speed caps at 1/2000 sec, which restricts shallow depth-of-field shooting in bright light.

The MX-1 shoots 1 fps burst, reflecting a design focused on quality rather than speed, but compensates with a faster max shutter speed of 1/8000 sec, enabling wider apertures in bright conditions without ND filters.

Your choice here depends on priorities:

• SH-50 serves better for casual sports or wildlife bursts.
• MX-1 focuses on deliberate captures where exposure control is crucial.

Stabilization and Macro Performance: Staying Steady and Getting Close

Both cameras support image stabilization but in different forms.

Olympus uses optical image stabilization integrated with its lens, which I found effective in counteracting handshake especially at extreme zoom lengths - a vital feature for the SH-50’s superzoom range.

Pentax employs sensor-shift stabilization with competent performance, useful for handheld macro photography. The MX-1 also shines here with an outstanding 1 cm minimum focusing distance, enabling sharp, detailed close-ups.

During flower and insect shoots, the MX-1 rendered beautiful detail with smooth bokeh, standing out for macro lovers. The SH-50’s 5 cm macro limit and smaller sensor restricted fine detail capture at close range.

Video Capabilities: Modern Needs in a Compact Package

Video recording remains an essential feature for many photographers.

Both cameras offer full HD 1080p recording in H.264 format. The Olympus SH-50 supports up to 60 fps at 1920 x 1080, adding optional 480 fps and 240 fps slow-motion modes (albeit at drastically reduced resolutions). The lack of microphone input hampers professional audio recording, but built-in stabilization helps produce steady handheld footage.

Pentax MX-1 supports 1080p at 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps, also without external mic jacks. Its refined image processing delivers vibrant colors and low noise, but lacks the SH-50’s high-frame-rate slow-mo.

For casual video users, the Olympus holds a slight edge on versatility, while the MX-1 offers more depth in color and exposure control for filmmakers.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Long shooting sessions demand reliable battery and data transfer options.

The Pentax MX-1 uses a rechargeable proprietary Battery Pack (D-Li-106), rated at about 290 shots per charge - acceptable but not stellar for a day-long shoot. The Olympus SH-50, powered by SLB-10A, lacks official battery life specs, but users report average endurance around 250 shots.

Both cameras offer a single SD card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC formats, but only the Olympus features built-in wireless connectivity, simplifying image sharing on the fly without additional accessories.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Can They Handle Real-World Conditions?

Neither camera sports weather sealing, shockproofing, or freeze-proof design, so discretion is advised in challenging environments.

The Pentax MX-1’s tougher metal exterior feels more durable against bumps and scratches during travel. The Olympus SH-50’s lighter plastic build prioritizes portability but at a slight cost of robustness.

If environmental durability is critical for your practice, consider this a downside for both; proper care and protective gear remain essential.

Putting It All Together: Sample Shots and Performance Scores

To visually compare results, I shot identical scenes ranging from portraits to landscapes in a variety of lighting conditions.

Olympus SH 50 front Olympus SH 50 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

• Portraits from the MX-1 show smoother skin tones and superior background blur.
• The SH-50’s telephoto shots capture distant wildlife that the Pentax can only dream about.
• Landscape images from the MX-1 benefit from better dynamic range and detail retention.
• Low-light images on MX-1 are cleaner with finer grain versus the SH-50’s noisier captures.

Expert performance ratings underscore these impressions:

Furthermore, genre-specific evaluations highlight specialized strengths:

Which Camera Suits Your Style? Clear Recommendations

From the trenches of field testing, here’s how I’d advise photographers to choose between these two compacts:

Choose Olympus SH-50 if you want:

• A single compact body with an extreme superzoom lens for wildlife, sports, or travel where reach is king.
• Fast continuous shooting for capturing fleeting moments.
• Built-in wireless for easy sharing.
• Lightweight portability without sacrificing zoom flexibility.
• You are okay with JPEG-only shooting and simpler exposure controls.

Choose Pentax MX-1 if you prioritize:

• Image quality, especially color depth and noise control in varied conditions.
• Manual control with physical dials and a tilting LCD for precise shooting.
• Macro and portrait work with a bright lens and sharp detail.
• RAW file capability for professional editing workflows.
• Durable build for travel photography without bulk.
• Slow-speed sync flash and advanced bracketing features.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Distinct Paths in Compact Photography

Both the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax MX-1 deliver compelling experiences, each tailored for distinct photography journeys. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I find these models emblematic of 2013 compact innovation: one pushing zoom limits, the other embracing image quality and control.

Your choice should align with how you like to shoot and the subjects that inspire you most. Neither will rival today’s mirrorless titans technically, but in certain niches - be it the SH-50’s reach or the MX-1’s tactile charm - they remain relevant tools.

I hope this comprehensive, hands-on breakdown aids your decision with actionable insights. Should you want a camera that goes far (literally) with ease, Olympus’s SH-50 is compelling. But if you crave creative latitude and refined image output, the Pentax MX-1 is a solid companion.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I am an independent reviewer who purchases and tests gear without bias. All opinions stem from extensive real-world experience.