Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax MX-1

The following is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the SZ1 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizing.

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The SZ1 was released 17 months prior to the MX-1 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the SZ1 matches up against the MX-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery and Pentax MX-1 Gallery.

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 has got outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ1 versus the MX-1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and MX-1.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic SZ1 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SZ1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.