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Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

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
  • Released July 2013
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also Known as WB550
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Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is fairly close but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and HZ15W (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was unveiled 4 years later than the HZ15W and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the MX-1 scores against the HZ15W for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Samsung HZ15W

 MX-1 HZ15W 
RevealedJuly 2013February 2009More recent by 53 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax MX-1

 HZ15W MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Samsung HZ15W

 MX-1 HZ15W 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 comes with exterior 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 Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the MX-1 against the HZ15W.

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and HZ15W is 84 and 90 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the difference in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and HZ15W.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor measurements. The MX-1 has got the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The fresher MX-1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography information
42
focusing manually
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
31
focusing manually
provides face detection focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax MX-1
Street photography with Samsung HZ15W
65
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391g)
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than average (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery life (290 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography highlights
61
good battery life (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
54
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (249g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (290 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no Timelapse mode
40
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
28
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than average (249 grams)
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Pentax MX-1 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax MX-1Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax MX-1 Samsung HZ15W
Also called as - WB550
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-01 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 16 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391g (0.86 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 208 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-Li-106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 $330