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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Released May 2009
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony H20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is fairly similar but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and H20 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The MX-1 was revealed 4 years later than the H20 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the MX-1 scores versus the H20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony H20

 MX-1 H20 
ReleasedJuly 2013May 2009Fresher by 51 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Pentax MX-1

 H20 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony H20

 MX-1 H20 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Sony H20 has dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony H20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the MX-1 compared to the H20.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and H20 is 84 and 87 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and H20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax MX-1 will offer more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The fresher MX-1 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony H20
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than average (391g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (250 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony H20
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
Sony H20 Travel photography features
61
better than average battery power (290 shots)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (391 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
great zoom (380mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (250 grams)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography features
Sony H20 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging information
Sony H20 Vlogging information
33
quite wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
heavier than average (391 grams)
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (250g)
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony H20
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-07-01 2009-05-14
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391 gr (0.86 lb) 250 gr (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 208 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-Li-106 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $400 $249