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Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
47
Overall
49
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
79
Overall
62

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(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
Sony RX100 IV
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
ReleasedJune 2015December 2009Fresher by 66 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Portrait photography camera
62
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
64
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography information
Sony RX100 IV Street photography information
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography information
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography information
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (1,900 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
68
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (16.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography information
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography information
53
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
85
lighter than average (298g)
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography highlights
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
73
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Vlogging camera
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
80
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than average (298 grams)
lack of mic socket
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Pentax K-x vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony RX100 IV
 Pentax K-xSony 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