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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
75
Overall
62

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI 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
  • Announced July 2014
Sony RX100 VI
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 301g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Launched June 2018
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 V
  • Renewed by Sony RX100 VII
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony RX100 VI, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the RX100 VI (20MP) is fairly close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and RX100 VI (1") provide different sensor size.

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The XG-1 was introduced 4 years earlier than the RX100 VI which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 VI being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the XG-1 grades versus the RX100 VI with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 XG-1 RX100 VI 

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

 RX100 VI XG-1 
LaunchedJune 2018July 2014More modern by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 XG-1 RX100 VI 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 offers outer 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 VI has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") and a weight of 301 grams (0.66 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony RX100 VI in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the XG-1 compared to the RX100 VI.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and RX100 VI is 66 and 88 respectively.

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

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The image below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and RX100 VI.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The XG-1 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony RX100 VI will render more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged XG-1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 VI as a Portrait photography camera
40
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
Sony RX100 VI Street photography info
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (567 grams)
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than others in class (301 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 VI Sports photography highlights
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (24.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery power (240 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
Travel photography with Sony RX100 VI
52
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery (240 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (567 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than others in class (301g)
supports bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (24mm)
low battery power (240 CIPA)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 VI as a Landscape photography camera
45
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery (240 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
65
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low battery power (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging advice
Sony RX100 VI Vlogging advice
25
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (567 grams)
77
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (301g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have microphone port
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX100 VI Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX100 VI
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-07-15 2018-06-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 315
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.8-4.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 8cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
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 speed 9.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 pounds) 301 grams (0.66 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 240 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LB-060 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $599 $1,198