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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 front
Portability
66
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Announced July 2013
Sony A200
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 572g - 131 x 99 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A230
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony A200, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the A200 (10MP) is very well matched but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and A200 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was revealed 5 years later than the A200 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A200 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the MX-1 matches up against the A200 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony A200

 MX-1 A200 
LaunchedJuly 2013July 2008Fresher by 61 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A200 over the Pentax MX-1

 A200 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony A200

 MX-1 A200 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 has got external dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony A200 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8") having a weight of 572 grams (1.26 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony A200 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the MX-1 compared to the A200.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and A200 is 84 and 66 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the MX-1 and A200.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 having a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax MX-1 will give you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher MX-1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony A200
42
manual focus
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
53
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
Sony A200 Street photography highlights
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony A200
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery life (290 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography details
Sony A200 Travel photography details
61
good battery life (290 shots)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
46
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography details
Sony A200 Landscape photography details
55
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (290 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
53
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging features
Sony A200 Vlogging features
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony A200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony A200
 Pentax MX-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-07-01 2008-07-17
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391g (0.86 pounds) 572g (1.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 131 x 99 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 49 63
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.3
DXO Low light rating 208 521
Other
Battery life 290 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-Li-106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $400 $100