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

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Differences

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Olympus XZ-2

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Pentax MX-1
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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

  • Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

  • 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.

  • Read our Pentax MX-1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Olympus XZ-2
Olympus XZ-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus XZ-1

Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-1
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Lighter weight

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Olympus XZ-1

Compared to Canon G15

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G15
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G15

Pentax MX-1
Canon G15
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon G15

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

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

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon G16

Compared to Canon N100

Olympus XZ-2
Canon N100
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon N100

Pentax MX-1
Canon N100
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon N100

Compared to Canon G5X

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G5X
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G5X

Pentax MX-1
Canon G5X
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Canon G5X

Compare Other Cameras?