Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax MX-1: An Expert Comparison for the Discerning Compact Camera Buyer

Choosing a compact camera that truly fits your photography style can be deceptively tricky. On one hand, you want something more capable than your phone; on the other, you desire a camera that delivers solid image quality, intuitive controls, and versatility across genres. Today, I’m diving deep into two intriguing compact models from the early 2010s: the Panasonic Lumix FX78 and the Pentax MX-1.

Though both slot firmly into the “small sensor compact” category, their approaches, design priorities, and feature sets differ significantly. By the end of this comprehensive review, you’ll have a clear sense of which one better suits your needs, whether you’re an enthusiast, travel snapper, or creative professional hunting for a capable pocketable camera.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of what these cameras deliver in the real world.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design Philosophy

Before we examine specs and samples, handling and ergonomics set the initial tone for long-term satisfaction.

Right off the bat, the Panasonic FX78 wears its compact pedigree with pride - it measures just 100x55x21 mm and weighs a mere 142 grams. That ultra-slim profile, coupled with its simple rectangular shape and minimal grip, screams “easy pocket carry.” If you prioritize ultimate portability, this camera feels like a lightweight travel companion. However, that comes at the cost of control: its tiny footprint restricts how much you can fiddle with physical dials or customized buttons.

By contrast, the Pentax MX-1 asserts itself as a more substantial, almost retro-styled compact, measuring 122x61x51 mm and weighing 391 grams. The heft and larger dimensions give it a robust feel - somewhat reminiscent of classic rangefinders. The grip is more pronounced, and you can feel every control distinctly under your fingers.

If you enjoy shooting with traditional manual controls and desire better handling comfort (especially for extended shoots), the MX-1 wins hands down here.

Looking from above, the MX-1 offers dedicated dials: aperture and shutter speed rings accompany the zoom lever atop the camera. This quickly earns favor for enthusiasts who want to tweak exposure settings without diving into menus. In contrast, the FX78 approaches simplicity: it forgoes manual exposure modes and offers no physical control dials, relying instead on basic direct shooting modes managed via touchscreen.

So in summary:

• FX78 is ultra-compact, pocketable, and touch-enabled but lacks manual exposure controls and robust ergonomics.
• MX-1 is heavier but more substantial feeling, better suited for deliberate photography with more physical controls.

Sensors and Image Quality: Seeing Beyond the Megapixels

Panasonic and Pentax both pack 12-megapixel sensors here, but that’s where the similarity ends.

The FX78 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm (about 27.7 mm²), common technology for compact cameras of its era. CCDs excel in color rendition but tend to lag behind CMOS sensors in dynamic range and noise handling, especially in low light. The FX78 maxes out at ISO 6400, but expect diminished quality at higher ISOs.

Meanwhile, the MX-1 ups the ante with a larger 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor (7.44x5.58 mm, ~41.5 mm²). The physical sensor area is roughly 50% larger, a significant factor that favors better light gathering, wider dynamic range, and cleaner performance in dim conditions. Pentax’s MX-1 supports native ISO up to 12800 as well.

From my hands-on testing, the MX-1 consistently delivers richer details, deeper tonal gradations, and less digital noise at ISO 800 and above. The FX78 produces pleasing results in daylight but struggles earlier when light fades.

Lens quality impacts perceived sharpness and contrast equally, so let’s peek at optics next.

Lenses and Optics: Reach, Brightness, and Macro Versatility

Lens specs tell us a lot about each camera’s intended use and creative latitude.

• Panasonic FX78: 24-120mm equivalent, 5x zoom, max aperture f/2.5-5.9
• Pentax MX-1: 28-112 mm equivalent, 4x zoom, max aperture f/1.8-2.5

The FX78 starts with a wider 24mm focal length, useful for landscapes or street photography where wider perspectives matter. However, the smaller aperture range caps out quickly at f/5.9 telephoto - that compromises low-light shooting and depth-of-field control at longer zoom.

The MX-1’s lens, though slightly less wide at 28mm, sports a much brighter aperture throughout the zoom range, topping out at f/1.8 when wide open. This means the MX-1 can deliver better low-light performance and more creamy bokeh for portraits, thanks to higher light intake and shallower depth of field at the wide end.

On the macro front, the MX-1 can focus as close as 1 cm, far outperforming FX78’s 5 cm limitation. This makes a real difference for close-up nature or product detail shots where precision focus and near-field working distance matter. The FX78 doesn’t quite enable the same degree of magnification or focusing agility.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Viewing and Navigating Your Shots

Screen tech is often overlooked but vital for composing shots and reviewing your work.

The FX78 offers a slightly larger 3.5-inch fixed touchscreen LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution. Its touchscreen brings some modern convenience in 2011, making menu navigation and mode selection intuitive for casual users. However, the lower resolution means viewing sharpness during playback or in bright environments suffers somewhat.

The MX-1 sports a smaller 3.0-inch tilting LCD, important if you like framing from low or high angles. Its resolution is a sharp 920k dots, more than quadruple the FX78. The screen’s AR coating also aids visibility under sunlight - vital in outdoor photography.

One downside: the MX-1 does not use a touchscreen, relying on traditional button navigation. I personally appreciate the dedicated physical controls and this sharper display when evaluating photos in-field.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed

Busying myself with thousands of camera tests, I've learned autofocus and frame rate can make or break certain photography styles.

Both cameras utilize contrast-detection AF systems, but with notable differences:

• FX78: 11 focus points, face detection absent, continuous shooting at 4 fps
• MX-1: 25 focus points with face detection, continuous shooting at 1 fps

The FX78’s slightly higher burst rate (4 fps) is useful for casual action shots, albeit at modest resolution and buffer constraints. Still, its absence of face detection means you cannot rely on it for easy portrait focus lock.

The MX-1’s autofocus field is denser and smarter, assisted by face detection - valuable if portraits or event shooting are on your agenda. However, its slow continuous shooting speed (1 fps) limits suitability for fast action sports or wildlife photography demanding high frame rates.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras incorporate optical or sensor-shift image stabilization, essential for reducing blur at slower shutter speeds.

• FX78 has optical image stabilization, helpful especially with telephoto use.
• MX-1 employs sensor-shift stabilization, which can work with any compatible lens.

In my experience, the Pentax sensor-shift system is slightly more effective at steadying handheld shots, especially when combined with the fast f/1.8 aperture that lets in more light. For low-light enthusiasts or street shooters working at twilight, the MX-1 delivers better deliverables with less reliance on high ISO noise suppression.

Video Recording Capabilities

Let’s not forget how these compacts handle motion.

• FX78: Full HD 1080p at 60fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats
• MX-1: Full HD 1080p at 30fps, MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs

If slow-motion video or smoother frame rates are priorities, the FX78 takes the crown here with 60fps HD video capability. The MX-1’s 30fps is respectable but more basic.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting advanced audio control.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers weather sealing, nor are they rugged in the sense of shockproof or waterproof construction. This limits their reliability in harsh conditions.

The MX-1’s heft and retro metal body, however, feels more durable in hand than the plasticky FX78, which might be more susceptible to knocks or drops.

Connectivity and Storage

You won’t find Bluetooth or NFC on either camera, understandable for their release dates.

• Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• The FX78 has no wireless connectivity at all.
• The MX-1 offers "Eye-Fi Connected" wireless SD card compatibility, enabling limited transfer features if you invest in specific cards.

USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs are standard on both for tethered file transfer and external display.

Battery Life and Power Management

Shooting longevity impacts travel and event photography heavily.

• FX78 rated at about 200 shots per charge - modest by today’s standards.
• MX-1 rated approximately 290 shots - better but still short, especially given the MX-1’s additional weight.

If you’re on longer trips, carrying spare batteries will be necessary with either.

Price and Value: What Are You Getting for Your Money?

• The Panasonic FX78 typically retails for about $210 (newly back in 2011), positioning it as an entry-level travel compact.
• The Pentax MX-1 came in closer to $400 at launch, reflecting its enthusiast-targeted feature set.

Does the MX-1 justify its nearly double price? I say yes, but only if you utilize its manual controls, superior sensor, and faster lenses. Casual shooters or those prioritizing pocketable simplicity may prefer the FX78.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

To wrap up, let’s analyze their performance across shooting genres most photographers care about.

Panasonic FX78 front Panasonic FX78 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

Portrait Photography

The MX-1’s brighter lens (f/1.8-2.5) provides shallower depth of field and smoother bokeh - ideal for flattering skin tones and subject isolation. Its face detection autofocus helps ensure sharp eyes even when shooting handheld.

The FX78’s smaller aperture and no face detection limit its portrait capabilities. It’s better suited to snapshot-style portraits in bright conditions.

Landscape Photography

Wider coverage from the FX78’s 24mm equivalent lens gives a compositional edge for expansive vistas. However, the MX-1’s larger sensor and richer dynamic range capture more tonal detail and color fidelity in complex light scenarios.

Neither is weather sealed, so be cautious outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera is optimized for wildlife. The FX78’s faster burst rate (4 fps) could help capture fleeting bird movements, but in reality, limited autofocus sophistication and smaller sensors are drawbacks.

The MX-1’s slower frame rate and modest zoom reach hinder fast action, but its faster lens could be better in low light-dense woods.

Sports Photography

Both cameras fall short here; neither offers fast, reliable tracking autofocus or very high burst speeds. FX78’s 4 fps continuous shooting is insufficient for rigorous sports, and MX-1’s 1 fps is slower still.

Street Photography

Here, the compact form of the FX78 is appealing for photographers valuing discretion and light mobility. The hinged tilting screen on the MX-1, however, lets you shoot from creative angles that enhance street reportage.

Both cameras have competent low-light potential, but MX-1’s sensor shift IS and brighter lens make it more reliable sustainably.

Macro Photography

Close focusing at 1 cm on the MX-1 is impressive, enabling detailed insect or flower shots with precision. The FX78’s 5 cm minimum focus makes it more limited here.

Night and Astro Photography

This is where sensor size and noise performance count most. The MX-1’s larger CMOS sensor and higher ISO ceiling make it hands-down better. The camera also offers manual exposure controls to fine-tune long exposures - critical for star trails or night landscapes.

The FX78’s CCD and limited exposure controls make night shooting more challenging.

Video Capabilities

The FX78’s smoother 1080p60 video has a slight advantage for casual videographers wanting slow motion or action footage, but both cameras lack professional features like external mic inputs.

Travel Photography

For pure travel convenience, FX78 wins on pocketability and simplicity. But if you want more creative control and image quality for your travel albums, MX-1’s qualities may justify its bulk and weight.

Expert Scoring Summary

Professional reviewers generally rated the MX-1 with a higher overall score, primarily due to its greater control, sensor size, and image fidelity. The FX78 is viewed as an accessible point-and-shoot solution with less creative latitude.

Scores reflect my above summary: MX-1 excels in portraits, macro, landscape, and night photography; FX78 stands out for casual street and travel shooting due to ultra-compact design and touch interface.

My Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

If you want a highly compact, convenient camera for casual travel, social shooting, and wide-angle landscapes, the Panasonic FX78 is a solid, budget-friendly pick. Its touchscreen, simplicity, and agreeable zoom range make it an easy companion. Just temper expectations on low light and manual control.

If image quality, creative control, faster glass, and more precise focusing matter - especially for portraiture, macro work, or low-light scenarios - the Pentax MX-1 remains a compelling enthusiast’s choice even years later. It demands more from the user but rewards with superior output and a hands-on experience.

Quick Comparison Recap Table

In making serious buying decisions, try to handle the cameras yourself, if possible. Ergonomics and interface preferences often outweigh specs on paper.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you navigate what each camera can offer in practice. Both are commendable within their niches, but the difference in sensor size, lens speed, and control scheme will guide your choice more than any spec sheet alone.

Happy shooting!
– An Experienced Camera Reviewer with thousands of cameras tested under various conditions across genres.

Note: For more insights, see my video comparisons and sample galleries linked above.