Pentax K-30 vs Pentax MX-1
63 Imaging
56 Features
66 Overall
60
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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards 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.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month 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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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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 |