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Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Pentax Efina front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Launched July 2013
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Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Pentax Efina versus Pentax MX-1, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Pentax. The resolution of the Efina (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the Efina (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The Efina was unveiled within a month of the MX-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax Efina being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the Efina grades vs the MX-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Pentax MX-1

 Efina MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax Efina

 MX-1 Efina 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Efina and Pentax MX-1

 Efina MX-1 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2013Similar generation
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Efina has physical measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax Efina versus Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the Efina compared to the MX-1.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Efina and MX-1 is 97 and 84 respectively.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Efina and MX-1.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Efina using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax Efina will deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Efina
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
42
focusing manually
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than others (91 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Efina Sports photography info
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography info
35
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (14MP)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Travel photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others (91g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (391g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Efina
Landscape photography with Pentax MX-1
38
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others (91 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
33
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (391g)
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Pentax Efina vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Efina and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax EfinaPentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Efina Pentax MX-1
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-03 2013-07-01
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.3 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 20cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech QVGA TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 91 grams (0.20 lbs) 391 grams (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") 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 shots 290 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $10 $400