Clicky

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 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
  • Announced July 2013
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is very comparable but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SZ5 was revealed 11 months prior to the MX-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SZ5 scores versus the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax MX-1

 SZ5 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 MX-1 SZ5 
AnnouncedJuly 2013July 2012More recent by 11 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax MX-1

 SZ5 MX-1 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has specifications 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 SZ5 and Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ5 and the MX-1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and MX-1.

All in all, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ5 using its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The older SZ5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
42
manual focus
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (391 grams)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
great battery (290 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
70
lighter than average (136g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
great battery (290 CIPA)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (391 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
great battery (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging info
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
heavier than competition (391 grams)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax MX-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax MX-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax MX-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-18 2013-07-01
Body design 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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 391 grams (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 images 290 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $195 $400