• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Nikon B500

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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 96 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 541g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1 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 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon B500 advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    900 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.4 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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 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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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

Nikon B500
Olympus XZ-2
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon B500 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

Nikon B500
Canon G15
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon B500 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

Nikon B500
Canon G16
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon B500 vs Canon G16

Compared to Nikon P530

Pentax MX-1
Nikon P530
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Nikon P530

Nikon B500
Nikon P530
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon B500 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Nikon L840

Pentax MX-1
Nikon L840
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax MX-1 vs Nikon L840

Nikon B500
Nikon L840
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon B500 vs Nikon L840

Compare Other Cameras?