Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100

Below, we are evaluating the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is fairly close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") come with different sensor size.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The XG-1 was manufactured 23 months after the RX100 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the XG-1 grades vs the RX100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax XG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony RX100 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 has outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the XG-1 versus the RX100.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and RX100 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and RX100.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony RX100 will render extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.