Pentax XG-1 vs Sony RX1R II

Below is a extended review of the Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX1R II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and RX1R II (42MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and RX1R II (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was unveiled 15 months prior to the RX1R II which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX1R II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the XG-1 scores vs the RX1R II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax XG-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II. The full galleries are provided at Pentax XG-1 Gallery & Sony RX1R II Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 comes with outer dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R II has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 and Sony RX1R II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the XG-1 and the RX1R II.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and RX1R II is 66 and 78 respectively.

Generally, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and RX1R II.

As you can see, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XG-1 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony RX1R II will resolve greater detail having an extra 26 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older XG-1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.