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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 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
  • Launched July 2013
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and WX50 (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WX50 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was released 18 months later than the WX50 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the MX-1 grades vs the WX50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Sony WX50

 MX-1 WX50 
AnnouncedJuly 2013January 2012More recent by 18 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k461kClearer display (+459k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Pentax MX-1

 WX50 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX50

 MX-1 WX50 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 comes with external dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony WX50 has sizing of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Pentax MX-1 versus Sony WX50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the MX-1 versus the WX50.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and WX50 is 84 and 96 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the MX-1 and WX50.

Clearly, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The MX-1 because of its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony WX50 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern MX-1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
Portrait photography with Sony WX50
42
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
Sony WX50 Sports photography details
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
great battery power (290 per charge)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Travel photography camera
61
great battery power (290 per charge)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (391g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography details
Sony WX50 Landscape photography details
55
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (290 per charge)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging features
Sony WX50 Vlogging features
33
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
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Pentax MX-1 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Sony WX50
 Pentax MX-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax MX-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-07-01 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391 grams (0.86 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-Li-106 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $400 $250