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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(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
  • Announced July 2013
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the S2100 (12MP) is very close but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and S2100 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The MX-1 was revealed 3 years after the S2100 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the MX-1 matches up versus the S2100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony S2100

 MX-1 S2100 
RevealedJuly 2013January 2010Newer by 43 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Pentax MX-1

 S2100 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony S2100

 MX-1 S2100 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax MX-1 has outer 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 S2100 has proportions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the MX-1 against the S2100.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and S2100 is 84 and 93 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The image underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and S2100.

All in all, both the cameras provide the same megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 has the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh easier. The fresher MX-1 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony S2100 Portrait photography advice
42
has manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Street photography camera
65
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (391g)
46
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
Sony S2100 Sports photography details
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
good battery power (290 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography details
Sony S2100 Travel photography details
61
good battery power (290 per charge)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (391 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
good battery power (290 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse mode
27
screen is a good size (3 inch)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
Sony S2100 Vlogging details
33
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
heavier than competition (391g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic port
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony S2100
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-07-01 2010-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 grams (0.86 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-Li-106 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $400 $0