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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Announced December 2012
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Released July 2013
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/1.7").

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The XZ-2 iHS was announced 6 months prior to the MX-1 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the XZ-2 iHS scores versus the MX-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Pentax MX-1

 XZ-2 iHS MX-1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 MX-1 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Pentax MX-1

 XZ-2 iHS MX-1 
ReleasedDecember 2012July 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution920k920kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS provides exterior dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Examine the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the XZ-2 iHS vs the MX-1.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and MX-1 is 85 and 84 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking technical specs. The pic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and MX-1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of files but you really should factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
46
focusing manually
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
42
focusing manually
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
66
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (346g)
65
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
good battery (340 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery pack (290 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography information
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography information
61
good battery (340 CIPA)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (346 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
great battery pack (290 CIPA)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography information
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography information
55
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
no Timelapse function
55
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging details
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
36
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (346g)
33
decently wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Pentax MX-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-12-18 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 346 gr (0.76 lb) 391 gr (0.86 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 49
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.3
DXO Low light rating 216 208
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 290 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $450 $400