• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 1365.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Canon SX70

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    51 mm vs 116 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 608g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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

Canon SX70 advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,365 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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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Pentax MX-1

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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.

  • Read our Pentax MX-1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Olympus XZ-2

Canon SX70
Olympus XZ-2
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX70 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to 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

Canon SX70
Canon G15
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX70 vs Canon G15

Compared to 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

Canon SX70
Canon G16
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SX70 vs Canon G16

Compared to Nikon P610

Pentax MX-1
Nikon P610
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Nikon P610

Canon SX70
Nikon P610
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon SX70 vs Nikon P610

Compared to Nikon B700

Pentax MX-1
Nikon B700
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Nikon B700

Canon SX70
Nikon B700
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Newer
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Canon SX70 vs Nikon B700

Compare Other Cameras?