Clicky

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Launched February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 II
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX100, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and RX100 (1") have totally different sensor size.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The K-1 was launched 3 years after the RX100 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-1 grades versus the RX100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony RX100

 K-1 RX100 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016August 2012More modern by 43 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax K-1

 RX100 K-1 
Display resolution1229k1037kCrisper display (+192k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX100

 K-1 RX100 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 has outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony RX100 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 and the RX100.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and RX100 is 55 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and RX100.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-1 because of its larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-1 will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 16MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more modern K-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
64
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Street photography camera
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
80
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (240g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (4.4 frames per second)
not so great battery power (760 CIPA)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
has no phase detect auto focus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
53
weather proofing
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
not so great battery power (760 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
79
lighter than others in class (240g)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Sony RX100
81
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery power (760 per charge)
74
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging details
Sony RX100 Vlogging details
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
38
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony RX100
 Pentax K-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-02-17 2012-08-28
Body design Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 204800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.4 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 66
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 12.4
DXO Low light rating 3280 390
Other
Battery life 760 photos 330 photos
Form 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, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch price $1,499 $448