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Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
82
Overall
77
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and RX1 (24MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The K-1 was released 3 years after the RX1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-1 grades against the RX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony RX1

 K-1 RX1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016February 2013More modern by 37 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Pentax K-1

 RX1 K-1 
Screen resolution1229k1037kCrisper screen (+192k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX1

 K-1 RX1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 features exterior measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the K-1 and the RX1.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and RX1 is 55 and 79 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and RX1.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-1 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-1 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX1 Portrait photography highlights
85
manual focus
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
81
manual focus
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Sony RX1
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
66
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
Sony RX1 Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
53
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (270 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
Sony RX1 Travel photography features
53
environment proof
great megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
62
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (270 per charge)
more heavy than others (482g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
Sony RX1 Landscape photography factors
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
64
manual focus
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
34
fast max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others (482 grams)
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony RX1
 Pentax K-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-02-17 2013-02-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 33 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.4 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 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, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
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 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lb) 482 gr (1.06 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 93
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 14.3
DXO Low light rating 3280 2534
Other
Battery life 760 photographs 270 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two One
Retail cost $1,499 $2,798