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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Launched July 2013
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax MX-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and MX-1 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-30 was manufactured 8 months earlier than the MX-1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the K-30 matches up versus the MX-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax MX-1

 K-30 MX-1 
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax K-30

 MX-1 K-30 
LaunchedJuly 2013October 2012More recent by 8 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax MX-1

 K-30 MX-1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 features physical dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-30 compared to the MX-1.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and MX-1 is 63 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and MX-1.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-30 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax K-30 will give greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The older K-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
42
focusing manually
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography highlights
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (410 CIPA)
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (290 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography info
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery (410 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
61
better than average battery power (290 shots)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
low battery (410 shots)
55
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging factors
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
33
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-30Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax MX-1
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-10-29 2013-07-01
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lbs) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 49
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.3
DXO Low light score 1129 208
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 290 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-Li-106
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $525 $400