Pentax K-x vs Sony RX10

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Pentax K-x vs Sony RX10

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10.
Compare Sony RX10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Succeeded by the Sony RX10 II
Compare RX10 vs RX10 II

Compare PENTAX K-R vs SONY RX10 II

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Differences

Pentax K-x advantages over Sony RX10

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-x test data on DxO Mark RX10 test data on DxO Mark

811 vs 474 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
69 mm vs 102 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/3200 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX10 advantages over Pentax K-x

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/3200 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
1229k 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
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-x User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX10 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

Smaller than SLR/CSC with comparable lenses; Larger sensor than other bridge cameras; SLR-like body without the hassle of changing lenses; Weather-sealed; Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture; Generous zoom range; Great viewfinder; Swift performance; Plenty of enthusiast-friendly features including raw shooting; Wi-Fi and NFC wireless sharing.
Expensive compared to other bridge cameras; Menus respond slowly after burst shooting; Lens doesn't zoom very quickly; High ISO performance doesn't quite match RX100 II.
Read our Sony RX10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Pentax K-x

Panasonic FZ1000

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-x vs Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX10 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony RX10

Sony DSLR-A380

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Sony RX10

Pentax K-7

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Sony RX10

Pentax K-r

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Pentax K-x

Sony RX10 II

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II

$698
1 inch

Less expensive

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony RX10 vs Sony RX10 II

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