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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II front
Portability
58
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II 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
  • Introduced July 2014
Sony RX10 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX10
  • Updated by Sony RX10 III
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Overview

Below, we are looking at the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony RX10 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the RX10 II (20MP) is very close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and RX10 II (1") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The XG-1 was introduced 11 months earlier than the RX10 II so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the XG-1 matches up versus the RX10 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony RX10 II

 XG-1 RX10 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 II over the Pentax XG-1

 RX10 II XG-1 
IntroducedJune 2015July 2014Newer by 11 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k460kSharper display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX10 II

 XG-1 RX10 II 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 offers physical 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 RX10 II has proportions of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") and a weight of 813 grams (1.79 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony RX10 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the XG-1 compared to the RX10 II.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and RX10 II is 66 and 58 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and RX10 II.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony RX10 II will provide you with extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged XG-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX10 II as a Portrait photography camera
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
Sony RX10 II Street photography details
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
72
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony RX10 II
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
68
silent mode (1/32,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography information
Sony RX10 II Travel photography information
52
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
Sony RX10 II Landscape photography information
45
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery (240 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
62
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging info
Sony RX10 II Vlogging info
25
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
31
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic support
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX10 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX10 II
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-07-15 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.20 m
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 567g (1.25 lbs) 813g (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 400 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $599 $998