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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly close but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and W290 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was brought out 4 years after the W290 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the MX-1 grades against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony W290

 MX-1 W290 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax MX-1

 W290 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W290

 MX-1 W290 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys 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 W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax MX-1 and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & 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 during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the MX-1 against the W290.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and W290 is 84 and 94 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and W290.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The MX-1 uses the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field simpler. The fresher MX-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
42
you can focus manually
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than average in class (391g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony W290
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
great battery life (290 shots)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
61
great battery life (290 CIPA)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (391g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (290 per charge)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
more heavy than average in class (391 grams)
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony W290
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 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 area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 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 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391g (0.86 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-Li-106 -
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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $400 $230