Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
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94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 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
- Revealed July 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Announced February 2009
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and S980 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.
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The MX-1 was released 4 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the MX-1 matches up against the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony S980
MX-1 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 54 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax MX-1
S980 | MX-1 |
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Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony S980
MX-1 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 has got outside 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 S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Examine the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the MX-1 vs the S980.
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Using size and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and S980 is 84 and 94 respectively.
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and S980.
As you can tell, both the cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The MX-1 contains the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The more recent MX-1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-07-01 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | 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 surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 391 gr (0.86 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-Li-106 | - |
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, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $400 | $300 |