Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
![Pentax MX-1 front Pentax MX-1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-MX-1/Pentax-MX-1-front.jpg)
![Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230/Sony-W230-front.jpg)
95 Imaging
35 Features
25 Overall
31
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 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
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Revealed February 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Overview
Let's look much closer at the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and W230 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
The MX-1 was introduced 4 years after the W230 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the MX-1 scores vs the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony W230
MX-1 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 54 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax MX-1
W230 | MX-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W230
MX-1 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax MX-1 has got exterior dimensions 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 W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the MX-1 vs the W230.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 size comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and W230 is 84 and 95 respectively.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The pic here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the MX-1 and W230.
Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 has the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh simpler. The more recent MX-1 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax MX-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-07-01 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
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 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
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) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 1 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 391 grams (0.86 lbs) | 156 grams (0.34 lbs) |
Dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-Li-106 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $400 | $180 |