Pentax MX-1

15 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Portability (17)
Value for money (6)
Sensor (6)
Lens (5)
Build quality (3)

Negative
Performance (3)
Size (2)
Viewfinder (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 16 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the design and lens. The sensor and value for money are also mentioned favorably. There are some mixed views about the usability and color. Many are critical about the viewfinder and size.

portability, value for money, sensor, lens, design

performance, size, viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax MX-1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 15 reviews)

Expert Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

Portability
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Sensor
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Value for money
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Lens
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Responsiveness
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Showing 9 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (7)

Expert review by: (digitalcamerareview.com)

Pentax MX-1 Review: So Much To Like

Announced on January 7, 2013 the MX-1 is "...an advanced digital compact camera whose craft design and vintage lines appeal to a wide variety of photo enthusiasts..." and one of the latest additions to the Pentax lineup in the compact market niche....

Good image and video quality ; Good ISO performance ; Good shutter lag and autofocus performance ; Manual and semi-automatic shooting modes complement full auto options ; RAW/JPEG still image file formats ; Manual focus capability

Size and weight are towards the large end of the compact digital spectrum ; Cost ; No hot/accessory shoe ; No optional viewfinder

Apr, 2013

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Expert review by: Eric Reagan (photographybay.com)

Pentax MX-1

The Pentax MX-1 is a new, retro-styled point and shoot camera with a 1/1.7″ sensor inside at 12MP resolution. It has a robust body, complete with a brass top that will add some character to individual units as they age.

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by: Barrie Smith (digital-photography-school.com)

Pentax MX-1 Review

Many people can be misled by some camera makers’ claims of higher pixel counts, maxi zoom ranges etc … when in fact they’re actually being sold a turkey.

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Editor's Choice!

Expert review by: Campbell Simpson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Pentax MX-1 camera

Pentax's retro throwback is anything but old-fashioned inside

Wonderful design and ergonomics ; Excellent lens and sensor

Slow to save RAWs ; Size rivals mirrorless competitors

Pentax’s premium compact is an excellent example of an enthusiast-focused digital camera -- it’s incredibly well-built, has a good sensor and lens combo, and is very similar in handling to a full-size digital SLR. It can be slow when used to its...

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: Amy Davies (techradar.com)

Pentax MX-1 review

How appealing is this retro-styled premium compact?

Wide aperture lens ; Brass construction ; Tilting screen

Boxy design ; Dated user interface ; Some odd handling quirks

It's hard to get overly enthusiastic about the Pentax MX-1. While it is capable of producing some good images, and it performed reasonably well in our labs test, it just doesn't have the excitement or appeal of most of the other premium compact cameras...

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: terry (dpexpert.com.au)

REVIEW—PENTAX MX-1]

This 12 megapixel compact with a fast (bright) f1.8–2.5 lens and a focal length range of 28–112mm lens is the Pentax entry into the category of top quality enthusiast compacts. The retro styling features old-fashioned metal top and bottom plates and...

Image quality is superb, with one caveat – there is a noticeable difference in fine detail and exposure between JPEG and RAW. JPEG pictures are good, RAW are stellar. We have never seen such an obvious difference between formats before and strongly...

File writing can occasionally hold up shooting. There is no hot shoe which is unusual for this category of camera ; VERDICT: This is an outstanding camera and a pleasure to use. It easily takes its place alongside the top compacts from Canon, Nikon,...

This is an outstanding camera and a pleasure to use. It easily takes its place alongside the top compacts from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and Olympus. Once again a lens with a modest zoom range stands out for its sharpness and colour fidelity and 12...

May, 2013

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Expert review by: (photoreview.com.au)

Pentax MX-1

A compact digicam with traditional film camera styling and controls plus a slightly larger-than-average image sensor and a 4x optical zoom lens.

There's a lot to like in the MX-1. It's very well built, attractively priced and its overall performance is excellent. However, the lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder is a serious impediment to the camera's usability in bright outdoor...

Apr, 2013