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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-3
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
  • Announced July 2013
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the K-3 II (APS-C) and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The K-3 II was revealed 23 months later than the MX-1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the K-3 II grades vs the MX-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax MX-1

 K-3 II MX-1 
AnnouncedApril 2015July 2013Fresher by 23 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 MX-1 K-3 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax MX-1

 K-3 II MX-1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 II comes with outside measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the K-3 II vs the MX-1.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and MX-1 is 59 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The visual here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and MX-1.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-3 II with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-3 II will offer you greater detail because of its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger K-3 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography factors
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
42
has manual focus
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than others (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography info
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography info
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (720 shots)
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (290 shots)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography factors
56
environment proofing
megapixel count good (24MP)
low battery pack (720 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
61
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (391 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
low battery pack (720 per charge)
55
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging details
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
33
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than others (391g)
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax MX-1
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax MX-1
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-04-23 2013-07-01
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.3fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 391 grams (0.86 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 49
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 11.3
DXO Low light score 1106 208
Other
Battery life 720 shots 290 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two 1
Retail price $829 $400