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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 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
  • Launched July 2013
Sony WX300
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony WX350
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX300, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and WX300 (18MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WX300 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was brought out 5 months later than the WX300 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the MX-1 matches up versus the WX300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony WX300

 MX-1 WX300 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Pentax MX-1

 WX300 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX300

 MX-1 WX300 
RevealedJuly 2013February 2013Similar age
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 features external dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony WX300 has sizing of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the MX-1 and the WX300.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and WX300 is 84 and 94 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the MX-1 and WX300.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony WX300 will give you greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony WX300 Portrait photography advice
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
36
good resolution (18MP)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography info
Sony WX300 Street photography info
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (166 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
Sony WX300 Sports photography details
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
good battery (290 per charge)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Travel photography camera
61
good battery (290 per charge)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
lighter than average in class (166 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography features
Sony WX300 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse mode
44
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
Vlogging with Sony WX300
33
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
35
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (166 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX300
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-07-01 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 4.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync -
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391 grams (0.86 lbs) 166 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-Li-106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $400 $330