Clicky

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony a1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) use different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The XG-1 was introduced 7 years before the a1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the XG-1 scores versus the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony a1

 XG-1 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Pentax XG-1

 a1 XG-1 
RevealedJanuary 2021July 2014Fresher by 79 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kClearer display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony a1

 XG-1 a1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 offers physical measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony a1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the XG-1 and the a1.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and a1 is 66 and 61 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and a1.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony a1 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 34 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The older XG-1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
Sony a1 Portrait photography details
40
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
88
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/400s)
MP count excellent (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony a1 Street photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (530 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
52
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
73
good battery life (530 shots)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
MP count excellent (50MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (240 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
88
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good battery life (530 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony a1
25
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
does have microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony a1
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha a1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-07-15 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 3200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 133
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video data format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567g (1.25 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 shots 530 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LB-060 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Dual
Cost at release $599 $6,498