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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
  • Released April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-3 and Pentax MX-1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and MX-1 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-3 was introduced 10 months later than the MX-1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-3 grades against the MX-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 MX-1 
LaunchedApril 2014July 2013More recent by 10 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)

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

 MX-1 K-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 K-3 MX-1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 provides exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 and Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the K-3 and the MX-1.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and MX-1 is 59 and 84 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The visual underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and MX-1.

All in all, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-3 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will offer extra detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern K-3 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography highlights
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
42
has manual focus
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery (560 per charge)
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (290 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
60
environment proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery (560 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
61
better than average battery life (290 shots)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (391 grams)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery (560 per charge)
55
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
33
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (391 grams)
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-3Pentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax MX-1
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-04-10 2013-07-01
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
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)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest 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
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 391g (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 Overall score 80 49
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 11.3
DXO Low light score 1216 208
Other
Battery life 560 images 290 images
Style 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 Dual Single
Cost at release $639 $400