Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1
69 Imaging
36 Features
35 Overall
35


84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 3200 (Boost to 1000)
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
- Announced February 2010
- Replacement is Olympus SP-810 UZ
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Released July 2013

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Pentax MX-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the SP-800 UZ (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor size.

The SP-800 UZ was launched 4 years earlier than the MX-1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SP-800 UZ matches up against the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SP-800 UZ & Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SP-800 UZ Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Pentax MX-1
SP-800 UZ | MX-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ
MX-1 | SP-800 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 41 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Pentax MX-1
SP-800 UZ | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-800 UZ offers exterior measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-800 UZ against the MX-1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-800 UZ and MX-1 is 69 and 84 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-800 UZ and MX-1.
To sum up, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SP-800 UZ because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus SP-800 UZ will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SP-800 UZ is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Olympus SP-800 UZ | Pentax MX-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SP-800 UZ | Pentax MX-1 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2010-02-02 | 2013-07-01 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | 1000 | - |
Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 143 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-840mm (30.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 12s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.10 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 455g (1.00 lb) | 391g (0.86 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 49 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 shots |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | Li-50B | D-Li-106 |
Self timer | Yes (12 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $270 | $400 |