• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Sony RX100 VII

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    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

Sony RX100 VII advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch 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
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
    200 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 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
    302g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    169 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
Sony RX100 VII
Olympus XZ-2
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Integrated ND filter

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
Sony RX100 VII
Canon G15
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Sony RX100 VII
Canon G16
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Pentax MX-1
Panasonic ZS100
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VII
Panasonic ZS100
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Pentax MX-1
Sony RX100 VI
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
Sony RX100 VII
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Compare Other Cameras?