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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Announced July 2013
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and MX-1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-S1 was introduced 15 months later than the MX-1 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the K-S1 matches up vs the MX-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax MX-1

 K-S1 MX-1 
AnnouncedAugust 2014July 2013Fresher by 15 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax K-S1

 MX-1 K-S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax MX-1

 K-S1 MX-1 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-S1 provides outer measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 558 grams (1.23 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-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the K-S1 against the MX-1.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and MX-1 is 69 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The photograph below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S1 and MX-1.

To sum up, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-S1 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-S1 will offer you more detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The younger K-S1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography highlights
77
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (558 grams)
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Sports photography camera
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
great battery pack (290 CIPA)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition (558g)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
61
great battery pack (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average (391 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography info
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography info
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (290 per charge)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (558g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
33
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
more heavy than average (391g)
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-S1Pentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax MX-1
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-08-27 2013-07-01
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime MII -
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 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 gr (1.23 lbs) 391 gr (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 49
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.3
DXO Low light rating 1061 208
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 290 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $339 $400