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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the S930 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and S930 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The MX-1 was announced 4 years later than the S930 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the MX-1 matches up against the S930 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony S930

 MX-1 S930 
AnnouncedJuly 2013January 2009More recent by 55 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.4"Larger display (+0.6")
Display resolution920k112kCrisper display (+808k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Pentax MX-1

 S930 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony S930

 MX-1 S930 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 provides exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony S930 has specifications of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the MX-1 versus the S930.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and S930 is 84 and 94 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and S930.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The MX-1 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax MX-1 will resolve more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher MX-1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony S930
42
focusing manually
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S930 as a Street photography camera
65
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography information
Sony S930 Sports photography information
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (290 shots)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S930 as a Travel photography camera
61
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (391g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S930 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
31
manual focus
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.4 inch)
manual exposure not available
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S930 as a Vlogging camera
33
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than average in class (391g)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (320 x 240 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony S930
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-01 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 38-108mm (2.8x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.9-5.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.4 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 112k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1/8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 320x240
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391 gr (0.86 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-Li-106 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $400 $219