• 1/3.2 inch 15.5mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 30.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung Galaxy S II advantages over Pentax MX-1

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    10 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    132g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax MX-1 advantages over Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/3.2 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S II

Review Excerpt

  • Amazing screen; Good image quality; Offers more control; Virtual half-press on shutter if desired; easy uploads to social media.

  • Occasional signal trouble; Banding in Macro mode; Design is so slim it's sometimes hard to hold; Muted color.

  • 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 Samsung NV30

Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung NV30
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax MX-1
Samsung NV30
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD1100 IS

Samsung Galaxy S II
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax MX-1
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Samsung Galaxy S II
Olympus XZ-2
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax MX-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Canon G16

Samsung Galaxy S II
Canon G16
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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

Compared to Nikon 170

Samsung Galaxy S II
Nikon 170
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Pentax MX-1
Nikon 170
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
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