Pentax K-01 vs Pentax MX-1: An Expert’s Guide to Two Unique Cameras

As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras ranging from flagship mirrorless beasts to pocketable compacts, I’m excited to dive into a detailed comparison between two distinct Pentax models: the Pentax K-01 and the Pentax MX-1. Both come from the same brand but serve different photographic purposes and user needs. I’ve personally taken these cameras through paces across many shooting disciplines, and in this review, I’ll share real-world insights paired with technical analysis to help you decide which is better suited for your photography journey.

A Tale of Two Pentax Cameras: Mirrorless Meets Compact

Before diving deep, let’s set expectations by looking at their core design philosophies.

The Pentax K-01 is an APS-C sensor mirrorless camera aimed at entry-level enthusiasts who want some manual control and flexibility in lenses - a rarity for Pentax in the mirrorless realm. It’s an SLR-style camera boasting a 16MP sensor and compatibility with Pentax’s vast K-mount lens system.

On the other hand, the Pentax MX-1 is a powerful premium compact featuring a smaller 1/1.7-inch sensor, a fixed fast zoom lens (28-112mm equivalent), and a pocketable form factor designed for travel and everyday carry.

So fundamentally: one is a mirrorless system with an interchangeable lens ecosystem, and the other a fixed-lens compact prime for grab-and-go versatility.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling Differences That Matter

One of the first things noticed during hands-on testing was the stark contrast in body form factors.

The K-01 stands out with its unique, somewhat boxy SLR-style body. At 122 x 79 x 58 mm and 561g, it feels substantial - better suited to those who prefer a solid grip and appreciable heft when shooting. The deep handgrip and dedicated manual dials provide an almost vintage SLR vibe, which is great for deliberate shooting, especially outdoors or when using longer lenses.

The MX-1, meanwhile, is a compact powerhouse at 122 x 61 x 51 mm and 391g. The slimmer, lower-profile body makes it pocket-friendly and unobtrusive, perfect for street photography or travel where you want to stay light and agile.

This size difference also influences user experience: the K-01 offers a more camera-like handling, while the MX-1 is closer to a high-end point-and-shoot but with manual controls.

Design and Control Layout: Balancing Manual and Convenience

Opening up the cameras for a closer look at their control schemes gives a glimpse of their intended users.

The K-01’s top deck presents traditional DSLR-like controls: a clear mode dial with shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure makes creative control straightforward. Dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and a well-placed shutter button enable rapid adjustments.

In contrast, the MX-1 sports fewer physical dials but keeps essential manual controls accessible through a combination of buttons and a zoom ring. The lens barrel on the MX-1 controls focal length and aperture changes elegantly, reminiscent of a rangefinder style. However, the continuous shooting speed tops out at 1 fps, indicating this is not a camera for fast action.

For those who revel in tactile interaction, the K-01’s design is more satisfying. But if you prioritize portability with quick access over speed, the MX-1 lays out controls neatly in a compact chassis.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C vs 1/1.7" Sensor

A cornerstone difference lies in sensor capability. Here’s a sensor size comparison to appreciate the gulf.

The Pentax K-01 comes equipped with a 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (measuring 23.7x15.7 mm) - traditionally found in DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras. This translates into larger pixels, better light gathering, and more image detail potential. It also supports RAW capture and provides an impressive dynamic range (12.9 EV per DXOMark tests), making it excellent for landscape and studio work where shadow and highlight detail matter.

The MX-1’s sensor is considerably smaller at 1/1.7” (7.44x5.58 mm), with 12MP resolution. While less capable in low light and offering lower dynamic range (11.3 EV), it compensates with a fast lens (f/1.8-2.5) that shines in daylight and controlled lighting environments.

In practical field tests, I found the K-01 delivers cleaner high ISO images, more nuanced color depths, and more cropping flexibility due to its resolution and sensor size. The MX-1 tends to show noise earlier above ISO 800, with softer details due to the smaller sensor, but it surprises with sharpness in well-lit scenarios thanks to its premium lens.

Bottom line: If image quality, detail, and low light performance are crucial, the K-01’s APS-C sensor outclasses the MX-1 decisively.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Vital for Composition and Review

Both cameras have 3-inch LCDs, but how they serve composition and menu navigation differ noticeably.

The K-01 features a fixed 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921k-dot resolution, which renders images vividly but can be tough to view in bright sunlight due to lack of anti-reflective coating. The menus are straightforward but can feel slightly dated, lacking touchscreen or customization options.

By contrast, the MX-1 sports a tilting 3.0-inch TFT LCD with AR coating and 920k-dot resolution. This tilt mechanism is invaluable for low-angle street shots or awkward macro angles - flexibility not offered by the K-01. The AR coating reduces glare noticeably under direct sunlight.

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, so LCD usability is paramount. If you shoot in varied lighting or need framing versatility, the MX-1’s tilting screen is a welcome advantage.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Precision

Autofocus systems on these two cameras reflect their varied intentions.

The K-01 uses an 81-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection, but noticeably lacks phase-detection AF. This results in decent accuracy and flexibility, but sluggish lock times compared to modern phase-AF systems, especially in low light or fast-moving subjects. The continuous AF mode tends to hunt, and without eye or animal detection, tracking fast subjects remains challenging.

In contrast, the MX-1 has a 25-point contrast-detection AF with face and tracking detection, optimized for its fixed lens system. Its focus speed is adequate for casual photography but limited by a slow 1 fps continuous shooting rate, making it unsuitable for action or wildlife.

In real use:

• Wildlife and sports photographers will find the K-01’s AF system lacking for serious action work, though it can manage stationary subjects well.

• Street and travel photographers benefit from MX-1’s accurate face tracking but should adjust expectations on burst rates.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Durability Matters

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, crushproof, freezeproof, or shockproof certifications, limiting their robustness in tough conditions.

The K-01’s metal chassis and SLR-like heft convey solidity, but the unconventional flat grip design detracts slightly from comfort during extended handheld use.

The MX-1 is well-built with a retro-inspired compact form, but its plastic components make it feel less durable for intensive outdoor use.

For professionals or travelers needing rugged reliability, both cameras fall short compared to Pentax’s weather-sealed DSLRs like the K-70 or K-3 series.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

A major selling point of the Pentax K-01 is compatibility with Pentax’s extensive KAF2 lens mount. As of now, over 150 lenses are available, from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms and high-spec macro optics.

This expansive lens ecosystem enables photographers to tailor the camera rig to portrait, macro, wildlife, or landscape needs, significantly broadening creative possibilities.

The MX-1’s fixed 4x zoom lens covers 28-112mm equivalent focal lengths with a bright maximum aperture (f/1.8-2.5). It also offers a close focusing distance of 1cm, making it surprisingly versatile for casual macro.

Image quality from the MX-1’s lens is impressive for the category - sharp, relatively low distortion, and constant exposure transitions across the zoom range.

But the fixed lens means you’re locked in - no upgrades or specialized glass.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready for Long Days or Quick Shoots?

Battery endurance is critical in real-world shooting. Here, the K-01’s D-LI90 battery delivers about 540 shots per charge, impressively long for a mirrorless model of its era. This means fewer battery swaps and more shooting endurance during extended outings.

The MX-1’s D-Li-106 battery, by contrast, yields approximately 290 shots per charge - respectable for a compact but noticeably less than the K-01.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot, so high-speed UHS cards are advised to optimize buffer clearing, especially for raw file storage on the K-01.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences vs Legacy Systems

Neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, but the MX-1 includes “Eye-Fi connected” functionality, allowing for wireless photo transfer via compatible SD cards - a useful feature for on-the-go sharing.

Both offer USB 2.0 (480Mbps) and HDMI output for tethering and playback, though none support microphone jacks, limiting external audio options for video recording.

Video Capabilities: Versatile Yet Basic HD Recording

Both cameras record at Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) up to 30fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 compression.

The K-01 supports multiple frame rates for HD and even 720p at up to 60fps, giving a bit more flexibility for slow-motion or smoother motion capture.

Both include built-in microphones but no headphone jack for monitoring, and neither offers advanced video features like 4K or log profiles.

Stabilization is sensor-based (K-01) or sensor-shift (MX-1), aiding handheld video smoothness.

For casual videography, these cameras are serviceable but won’t replace dedicated video-centric models.

Real-World Photography Tests Across Genres

To truly grasp their strengths and weaknesses, I tested both cameras in various photography disciplines. Here’s what I found:

Pentax K 01 front Pentax K 01 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

The image gallery above showcases portraits with creamy backgrounds (K-01 wins here), vibrant landscapes showing dynamic range, and low light cityscapes highlighting noise performance.

Final Performance Ratings: Putting Numbers to Experience

Quantitative metrics help solidify subjective impressions.

• K-01: 79 DXOMark score – Strong sensor performance, solid color depth, great dynamic range, and good low-light usability.

• MX-1: 49 DXOMark score – Smaller sensor limits quality, but lens quality and stabilization offer respectable results for a compact.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Delving deeper into different uses:

This chart highlights the K-01 excelling in portraits, landscapes, and macro, while the MX-1 shines in street and travel due to its size and lens speed.

Who Should Buy The Pentax K-01?

• Photography enthusiasts craving manual control and interchangeable lenses
• Portrait photographers valuing natural skin tones and bokeh
• Landscape shooters who want dynamic range to capture rich scenes
• Travelers who don’t mind some extra weight in exchange for image quality and battery life
• Those invested in the Pentax K-mount ecosystem, looking to tap into the extensive lens selection
• Hobbyists who appreciate a vintage aesthetic and analog feel in a digital camera

Who Should Buy The Pentax MX-1?

• Casual shooters who want a premium compact camera for everyday photography
• Street photographers who value discretion and ease of carry
• Travel photographers needing a light setup with a versatile zoom range
• Macro lovers eager to capture close-up details without extra gear
• Video hobbyists seeking simple Full HD capture on a small form factor
• Budget-conscious buyers seeking solid image quality without lens investment

Summing Up: My Personal Takeaway

Having tested both extensively, I view the Pentax K-01 as an underrated gem in the mirrorless category - especially for its sensor and lens compatibility - but held back by some autofocus sluggishness and a divisive grip design. It’s a rewarding camera for users willing to engage manually and experiment with lenses.

The MX-1, conversely, offers remarkable image quality in a stylish portable camera that’s ideal for street, travel, and casual macro, though it’s not equipped to handle demanding fast-action or professional tasks.

Both cameras fill distinctly different niches, and choosing between them depends heavily on your photographic goals, preferred genres, and how much gear you wish to carry.

Final Recommendation Table

I hope this detailed comparison sheds light on the strengths and weaknesses of the Pentax K-01 and MX-1 based on my extensive testing and real-world experience. Both cameras have their devoted users, but your choice should align with your specific priorities.

If you’re curious about any particular use case or want to discuss lenses and accessories for either model, feel free to reach out!

Happy shooting!

• Your trusted camera reviewer and fellow photographer