Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46


79 Imaging
69 Features
57 Overall
64
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs
(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
- Released July 2013
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
- 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
- Announced February 2013

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax MX-1 and Sony RX1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and RX1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizes.

The MX-1 was brought out 5 months later than the RX1 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the MX-1 grades versus the RX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax MX-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The entire galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Sony RX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony RX1
MX-1 | RX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Pentax MX-1
RX1 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+309k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony RX1
MX-1 | RX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2013 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax MX-1 has got external measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).
Check the Pentax MX-1 and Sony RX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the MX-1 versus the RX1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and RX1 is 84 and 79 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and RX1.
All in all, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony RX1 will produce greater detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX1 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-07-01 | 2013-02-19 |
Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 35mm (1x) |
Largest aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/2.0-22.0 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | Xtra FineTFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic and Optical (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 6.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/4000 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, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 391 gr (0.86 lb) | 482 gr (1.06 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 49 | 93 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.4 | 25.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 14.3 |
DXO Low light score | 208 | 2534 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photographs | 270 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-Li-106 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $400 | $2,798 |