Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W800

Its time to look more in depth at the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and W800 (20MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and W800 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The MX-1 was introduced 7 months before the W800 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the MX-1 grades against the W800 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax MX-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800. The whole galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Sony W800 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 has outer measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Pentax MX-1 vs Sony W800 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the MX-1 and the W800.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and W800 is 84 and 96 respectively.

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and W800.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The MX-1 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony W800 will render more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older MX-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.