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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced July 2018
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is pretty comparable but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") offer different sensor measurements.

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The XG-1 was unveiled 5 years before the RX100 VA which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the XG-1 scores versus the RX100 VA for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony RX100 VA

 XG-1 RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Pentax XG-1

 RX100 VA XG-1 
AnnouncedJuly 2018July 2014Newer by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kSharper screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX100 VA

 XG-1 RX100 VA 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 enjoys physical measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VA has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the XG-1 against the RX100 VA.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and RX100 VA is 66 and 89 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The image underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and RX100 VA.

All in all, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony RX100 VA will provide greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged XG-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography details
40
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony RX100 VA Street photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition in class (567g)
86
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography info
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography info
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
70
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (24.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking focus
has phase detect AF
low battery life (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography factors
52
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (240 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
76
lighter than others in class (299g)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (220 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 VA
45
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
66
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
low battery life (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging factors
25
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
heavier than competition in class (567g)
81
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
missing mic jack
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX100 VA
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-07-15 2018-07-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
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 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 315
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000s
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lbs) 299g (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
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 photographs 220 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $599 $998