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Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
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
  • Announced July 2013
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-r and Pentax MX-1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the K-r (APS-C) and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The K-r was introduced 3 years earlier than the MX-1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the K-r matches up against the MX-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-r MX-1 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

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

 MX-1 K-r 
AnnouncedJuly 2013March 2011More recent by 28 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 K-r MX-1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-r has physical measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-r and Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the K-r and the MX-1.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and MX-1 is 67 and 84 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The visual underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-r and MX-1.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The K-r comes with the bigger sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The older K-r is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography factors
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
42
you can focus manually
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (470 CIPA)
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography advice
47
built-in flash
terrible battery (470 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
better than average battery power (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (391 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (470 shots)
55
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (290 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging features
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging features
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others in class (391 grams)
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax MX-1
 Pentax K-rPentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-r Pentax MX-1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-03-11 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598g (1.32 lb) 391g (0.86 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 49
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.3
DXO Low light rating 755 208
Other
Battery life 470 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $1,100 $400