Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46


86 Imaging
57 Features
60 Overall
58
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-C3
- Updated by Sony NEX-3N

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview
The following is a detailed comparison of the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony NEX-F3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

The MX-1 was introduced 11 months after the NEX-F3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the MX-1 grades against the NEX-F3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax MX-1 & Sony Alpha NEX-F3. The whole galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery & Sony NEX-F3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony NEX-F3
MX-1 | NEX-F3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2013 | ![]() | August 2012 | Newer by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Pentax MX-1
NEX-F3 | MX-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony NEX-F3
MX-1 | NEX-F3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 provides physical measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has specifications of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).
Check out the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony NEX-F3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the MX-1 compared to the NEX-F3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and NEX-F3 is 84 and 86 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and NEX-F3.
As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-F3 will give extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer MX-1 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-07-01 | 2012-08-16 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 920k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 391g (0.86 pounds) | 314g (0.69 pounds) |
Dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 49 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 208 | 1114 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 images | 470 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-Li-106 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $400 | $470 |