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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony NEX-F3
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony NEX-F3

 MX-1 NEX-F3 
IntroducedJuly 2013August 2012Newer 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution920k920kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography advice
42
manual focus
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography factors
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography factors
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery life (470 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-F3
61
better than average battery (290 shots)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (391g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
69
good battery life (470 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 shots)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
no Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (391g)
27
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony NEX-F3
 Pentax MX-1Sony 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