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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed July 2013
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax MX-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ8 was unveiled 7 months after the MX-1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ8 scores against the MX-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax MX-1

 SZ8 MX-1 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2013Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 MX-1 SZ8 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax MX-1

 SZ8 MX-1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ8 compared to the MX-1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and MX-1 is 94 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and MX-1.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic SZ8 will provide more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer SZ8 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
42
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
Pentax MX-1 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography information
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (391g)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography information
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (290 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging factors
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
33
decently wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition in class (391g)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax MX-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-06 2013-07-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
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 area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias 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 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 391g (0.86 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life 200 shots 290 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $275 $400