• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Ricoh GR III

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    257g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    1200 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

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
Ricoh GR III
Olympus XZ-2
  • $998
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Ricoh GR III
Canon G15
  • $998
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Ricoh GR III
Canon G16
  • $998
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to 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
Ricoh GR III
Canon N100
  • $998
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to 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
Ricoh GR III
Canon G5X
  • $998
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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