Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 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
- Revealed July 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched June 2010

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Overview
The following is a extended comparison of the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and HX5 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor sizing.

The MX-1 was introduced 3 years after the HX5 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the MX-1 grades vs the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony HX5
MX-1 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 38 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Pentax MX-1
HX5 | MX-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony HX5
MX-1 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys outside measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony HX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the MX-1 and the HX5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and HX5 is 84 and 92 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and HX5.
All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax MX-1 will provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger MX-1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-07-01 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 920k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 391 gr (0.86 pounds) | 200 gr (0.44 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-Li-106 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $400 | $275 |