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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony W230
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony W230

 MX-1 W230 
RevealedJuly 2013February 2009Newer by 54 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper 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 sizing3"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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
42
manual focus
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony W230
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
Travel photography with Sony W230
61
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
Sony W230 Landscape photography factors
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
focusing manually
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony W230
 Pentax MX-1Sony 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