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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as mju 550WP
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Announced July 2013
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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus 550WP and Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the 550WP (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 550WP was revealed 5 years before the MX-1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the 550WP scores against the MX-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Pentax MX-1

 550WP MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus 550WP

 MX-1 550WP 
AnnouncedJuly 2013January 2009Newer by 54 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Pentax MX-1

 550WP MX-1 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus 550WP comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus 550WP and Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the 550WP and the MX-1.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 550WP and MX-1 is 94 and 84 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The picture below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 550WP and MX-1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 550WP having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax MX-1 will give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged 550WP is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP Portrait photography info
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography info
19
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
42
you can focus manually
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 550WP
Street photography with Pentax MX-1
61
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Sports photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Sports photography camera
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (290 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography features
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
55
environment proof
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
better than average battery (290 shots)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography highlights
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
55
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 shots)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging info
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
33
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Pentax MX-1
Also referred to as mju 550WP -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-07 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $399 $400