• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 616.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SP-610UZ advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    616 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    14.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Olympus SP-610UZ

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    51 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for a compact camera in its class; Sharp, bright f/1.8-2.5 lens with 4x optical zoom; Cool retro-styled design with brass top and bottom plates; Tilting LCD; Exposure compensation dial; Speedy and accurate autofocus; Full HD video recording.

  • Image detail starts dropping off noticeably above ISO 800, and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200 and beyond; Sluggish cycle times and burst performance; Issues with purple fringing in some shooting scenarios; Heavier and larger than other cameras in its class.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Olympus SP-610UZ
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax MX-1
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon L120

Olympus SP-610UZ
Nikon L120
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
Pentax MX-1
Nikon L120
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus SP-720UZ

Olympus SP-610UZ
Olympus SP-720UZ
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
Pentax MX-1
Olympus SP-720UZ
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $125
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Olympus SP-610UZ
Olympus XZ-2
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus SP-610UZ
Canon G16
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax MX-1
Canon G16
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
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