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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Pentax. The image resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly close but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and Q (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was manufactured 2 years after the Q which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the MX-1 scores vs the Q in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax Q

 MX-1 Q 
ReleasedJuly 2013June 2011Newer by 25 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax MX-1

 Q MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax Q

 MX-1 Q 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys outer measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the MX-1 against the Q.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and Q is 84 and 93 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and Q.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 comes with the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more recent MX-1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
42
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography info
Pentax Q Street photography info
65
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than others (391 grams)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (180g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography info
Pentax Q Sports photography info
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (290 shots)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
61
good battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (391g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
57
lighter than others (180g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
Vlogging with Pentax Q
33
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
heavier than others (391g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax Q
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Q
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax MX-1 Pentax Q
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-07-01 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391 gr (0.86 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 47
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 11.1
DXO Low light score 208 189
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 230 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-Li-106 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $400 $695