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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
93
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Revealed January 2015
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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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ10 versus Pentax MX-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SZ10 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the SZ10 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ10 was unveiled 19 months after the MX-1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ10 matches up vs the MX-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax MX-1

 SZ10 MX-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015July 2013Newer by 19 months

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic SZ10

 MX-1 SZ10 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax MX-1

 SZ10 MX-1 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ10 comes with outer measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ10 versus Pentax MX-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ10 versus the MX-1.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ10 and MX-1 is 93 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ10 and MX-1.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ10 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic SZ10 will produce more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern SZ10 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ10
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
36
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
42
manual focus
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ10
Street photography with Pentax MX-1
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (177g)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than others (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Sports photography features
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
max fps very slow (1.4 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (290 shots)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography details
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography details
67
lighter than average (177 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
good battery life (290 per charge)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (391 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (290 per charge)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging information
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging information
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average (177 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
33
really wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic socket
heavier than others (391g)
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax MX-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax MX-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-01-06 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 surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.4 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 177g (0.39 lb) 391g (0.86 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 photographs 290 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $200 $400