Clicky

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 front
Portability
92
Imaging
50
Features
44
Overall
47

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 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
  • Released July 2014
Sony QX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
  • Launched September 2013
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony QX100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Lens-style by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the QX100 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and QX100 (1") have different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The XG-1 was announced 11 months later than the QX100 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the XG-1 grades versus the QX100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony QX100

 XG-1 QX100 
LaunchedJuly 2014September 2013Fresher by 11 months
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Pentax XG-1

 QX100 XG-1 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony QX100

 XG-1 QX100 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 has got external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony QX100 has specifications of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") along with a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony QX100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the XG-1 vs the QX100.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and QX100 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and QX100.

All in all, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony QX100 will provide more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony QX100 Portrait photography highlights
40
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
52
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides face detect focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography highlights
Sony QX100 Street photography highlights
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (567 grams)
71
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes touch to focus
fixed screen
no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony QX100
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
low battery life (200 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography features
Sony QX100 Travel photography features
52
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (240 per charge)
heavier than competition (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
includes touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony QX100 as a Landscape photography camera
45
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (240 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
54
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
no manual control
no RAW support
low battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony QX100
25
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
heavier than competition (567g)
38
really wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony QX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony QX100
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Released 2014-07-15 2013-09-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Lens-style
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias 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 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch -
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Depends on connected smartphone
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 lbs) 179 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 images 200 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $599 $268