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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Announced July 2010
Photography Glossary

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is very comparable but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WX5 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The MX-1 was revealed 3 years later than the WX5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the MX-1 matches up against the WX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony WX5

 MX-1 WX5 
AnnouncedJuly 2013July 2010Fresher by 37 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution920k461kSharper display (+459k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Pentax MX-1

 WX5 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX5

 MX-1 WX5 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys outer 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 WX5 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony WX5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the MX-1 compared to the WX5.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and WX5 is 84 and 95 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and WX5.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical MP but not the same sensor sizing. The MX-1 has the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The fresher MX-1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony WX5
42
manual focus
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Street photography camera
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Sony WX5
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
low fps (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Travel photography camera
61
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
58
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse recording
37
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX5 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
heavier than competition in class (391g)
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX5
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-01 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.8"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
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 391 gr (0.86 lb) 146 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-Li-106 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $400 $250