• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Fujifilm X100S

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm X100S advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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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.

  • Attractive, retro rangefinder-style design; Improved (excellent) still image quality that's even better thanks to second generation X-Trans sensor technology; Great, sharp f/2 35mm-equivalent lens; Overall better operation and performance than the X100; Addition of phase-detect pixels makes bright light autofocusing faster.

  • Low-light AF slow and inconsistent; Video quality, even at 60p, compromised by moire and lack of image stabilization; Combined four-way pad/Command dial means AF control points cumbersome to change; Too easy to bump control dials and change settings accidentally (especially the EV dial).

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X100

Pentax MX-1
Fujifilm X100
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X100
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video

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
Fujifilm X100S
Olympus XZ-2
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Fujifilm X100S
Canon G15
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Fujifilm X100S
Canon G16
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Pentax MX-1
Fujifilm X100T
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Fujifilm X100S
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • External Mic Jack
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