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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Released July 2019
  • Old Model is Sony A7R III
  • New Model is Sony A7R V
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and A7R IV (Full frame) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The MX-1 was announced 7 years before the A7R IV which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the MX-1 grades vs the A7R IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony A7R IV

 MX-1 A7R IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Pentax MX-1

 A7R IV MX-1 
ReleasedJuly 2019July 2013More modern by 73 months
Display resolution1440k920kSharper display (+520k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony A7R IV

 MX-1 A7R IV 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys outer dimensions 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 Sony A7R IV has specifications of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Check the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the MX-1 compared to the A7R IV.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and A7R IV is 84 and 62 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the MX-1 and A7R IV.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The MX-1 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A7R IV will offer you greater detail with its extra 49 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged MX-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
42
manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
88
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (61MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax MX-1
Street photography with Sony A7R IV
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than others (391g)
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony A7R IV
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
great battery (290 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (61MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (670 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Travel photography highlights
61
great battery (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (391g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
74
good battery (670 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography info
Sony A7R IV Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
great battery (290 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (670 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R IV as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than others (391 grams)
37
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony A7R IV
 Pentax MX-1Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax MX-1 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Category Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-07-01 2019-07-16
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Full frame
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 61 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 9504 x 6336
Highest native ISO 12800 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 25 567
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 4.8 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391 grams (0.86 lbs) 665 grams (1.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 99
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 14.8
DXO Low light score 208 3344
Other
Battery life 290 shots 670 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-Li-106 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Dual
Cost at launch $400 $3,498