Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
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84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(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
(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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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-30 & Pentax MX-1. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-30 Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax MX-1
K-30 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax K-30
MX-1 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2013 | ![]() | October 2012 | More recent by 8 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax MX-1
K-30 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and MX-1 is 63 and 84 respectively.
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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.
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Pentax 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 |