Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
94 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- 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
- Introduced July 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Introduced January 2009
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Here, we will be comparing the Pentax MX-1 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and G3 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe MX-1 was unveiled 4 years after the G3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the MX-1 matches up versus the G3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The full galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony G3
| MX-1 | G3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2013 | January 2009 | Newer by 55 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax MX-1
| G3 | MX-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.5" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony G3
| MX-1 | G3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Examine the Pentax MX-1 and Sony G3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the MX-1 vs the G3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and G3 is 84 and 94 respectively.
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The picture below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and G3.
To sum up, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax MX-1 will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent MX-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony G3 Specifications
| Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2013-07-01 | 2009-01-08 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.5-10.0 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3.5 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 1 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 391 gr (0.86 pounds) | 185 gr (0.41 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 49 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 208 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 photos | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | D-Li-106 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $400 | $200 |