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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Pentax K-1 and Pentax MX-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and MX-1 (1/1.7") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-1 was unveiled 2 years later than the MX-1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-1 matches up vs the MX-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax MX-1

 K-1 MX-1 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2013Fresher by 33 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax K-1

 MX-1 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax MX-1

 K-1 MX-1 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 offers exterior measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the K-1 vs the MX-1.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and MX-1 is 55 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and MX-1.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-1 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-1 will produce more detail having an extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger K-1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography features
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography features
85
manual focus
MP count amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
42
manual focus
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Street photography factors
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average high ISO (204,800)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
slow fps (4.4 fps)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (290 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
53
environment sealing
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
61
better than average battery life (290 CIPA)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography info
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging highlights
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,010g)
33
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competition (391g)
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-1Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax MX-1
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2016-02-17 2013-07-01
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 204800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 33 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 pounds) 391 gr (0.86 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 49
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 11.3
DXO Low light score 3280 208
Other
Battery life 760 shots 290 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Retail pricing $1,499 $400