Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV
69 Imaging
51 Features
47 Overall
49


89 Imaging
51 Features
79 Overall
62
Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Revealed December 2009
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
- Released June 2015
- Older Model is Sony RX100 III
- New Model is Sony RX100 V

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Pentax K-x and Sony RX100 IV, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the K-x (APS-C) and RX100 IV (1") offer totally different sensor sizing.

The K-x was revealed 6 years earlier than the RX100 IV and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K-x matches up versus the RX100 IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-x & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-x Gallery & Sony RX100 IV Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony RX100 IV
K-x | RX100 IV |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Pentax K-x
RX100 IV | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2015 | ![]() | December 2009 | Fresher by 66 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+999k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony RX100 IV
K-x | RX100 IV | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x enjoys exterior dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony RX100 IV has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-x and Sony RX100 IV in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-x and the RX100 IV.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and RX100 IV is 69 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The photograph below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-x and RX100 IV.
To sum up, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-x with its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 IV will produce extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older K-x will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications
Pentax K-x | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-x | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-12-23 | 2015-06-10 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-70mm (2.9x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/1.8-2.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 1,229 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.59x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/6000s | 1/2000s |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 16.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 16.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/2000s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 580 gr (1.28 lb) | 298 gr (0.66 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 72 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 22.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.5 | 12.6 |
DXO Low light score | 811 | 562 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1900 photos | 280 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $600 | $898 |