Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300
84 Imaging
36 Features
60 Overall
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63 Imaging
43 Features
51 Overall
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs
(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
- Released July 2013
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
- 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
- Launched February 2013
- Succeeded the Sony HX200V
- Replacement is Sony HX400V
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In this write-up, we will be comparing the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony HX300, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and HX300 (20MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and HX300 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe MX-1 was announced 5 months later than the HX300 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the MX-1 matches up vs the HX300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Sony HX300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony HX300
| MX-1 | HX300 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax MX-1
| HX300 | MX-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 921k | 920k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony HX300
| MX-1 | HX300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2013 | February 2013 | Similar generation | |
| Manual focus | Very precise focus | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither provides Touch screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 provides physical measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has measurements of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).
See the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony HX300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the MX-1 and the HX300.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and HX300 is 84 and 63 respectively.
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and HX300.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 with its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX300 will resolve more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively.
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX300 Specifications
| Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2013-07-01 | 2013-02-20 |
| Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
| Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5184 x 3888 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 24-1200mm (50.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/2.8-6.3 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | - |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | 391 gr (0.86 lb) | 623 gr (1.37 lb) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") |
| 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 images | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | D-Li-106 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | - |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | $400 | $339 |