Pentax MX-1 hands-on preview: Digital Photography Review

Body Elements

	A small control cluster sits right of the mode dial, including a power button, shutter release, zoom ring, movie record button, and exposure compensation dial. The large mode dial includes the usual auto, semi-auto, and manual modes, plus Scene, HDR, and one user preset setting.
	The upper rear dial is perfectly placed for operation by your right thumb. It can be clicked in to change its function in certain modes.
	The MX-1 has a very bright autofocus assist LED lamp to aid focusing in dark conditions. This can be turned off in the menu if you prefer. The AF menu includes an option to disable the lamp. Just left of the lamp is the first infrared sensor for activation with the WP remote control, according to a Pentax representative.
	The small flash unit pops up and forward of the top plate. Since it's activated with a manual switch, the camera can't deploy it automatically; instead the LCD says, 'Please pop-up the flash.'
	The MX-1's flash is released by this sliding mechanical switch on the left side of the camera.
	The MX-1's stereo microphones are on the top deck, positioned left and right of the lens' center line. Because you're likely to hear focus motor and zoom noise, you have the option of enabling or disabling both in the second movie menu.
	Protected by a hard plastic flap hinged on a metal pin, the MX-1's ports include a PC/AV socket and an HDMI port.
	The battery and SD card go into a conventional compartment in the MX-1's base. The camera uses the Pentax D-LI106, a 4.5Wh (3.6-volt 1,250mAh) lithium-ion battery.
	Placed off-center from the lens, the tripod socked is metal. Its close proximity to the battery door means you'll have to remove it from a tripod when shooting heavily.
	The MX-1's strap lugs are mounted forward of the body to keep them from upsetting the camera's rectangular silhouette, and also to keep them from jabbing into your hand.
	Hidden beneath the paint is real brass, ready to be revealed gradually as the paint wears. It's an unusual feature of little real consequence, but strangely endearing for the nostalgic among us.

Comments

Total comments: 207

So, Simon, I gather you're finding Seattle and it's netherlands a tad different than London and it's outlaying areas :) I'm referring to the snowshoeing pics :D

And, cool pics, no pun intended :)

Comment edited 37 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

It may be a fine compact camera but surely it's a stupid idea to call it MX.
The original MX had one of the best SLR viewfinders ever made and while I'm quite happy with the recent trend of "retro" designs this one does not deserve its name. If Pentax has no better use for such an illustrious piece of their legacy, they should let it rest in peace...

Olympus is making much better use of their iconic names.

(I am a Pentax user by the way)

3 upvotes

Ah Boris, it's an MX-1 ;) and love my MX's ... although not used for a number of years and, truth be told, I like the idea of reusing some of the plasts from the past :)

0 upvotes

Yes, they've started counting, that makes it even worse. They'll ruin the name forever!
I would love it if Pentax would built a line of "retro" cameras... but when I say cameras I don't mean point-and-shoots.
If they use all their venerable old names for point-and-shoots they rob themselfs of the chance to use them to sell real cameras.

1 upvote

Yet another viewfinder-less box (without even an optional over-priced EVF) for people who like to stand around waving a camera at arms' length. It can't be long, surely, before phones have completely displaced these things in this market sector.

1 upvote

Bend your elbows.

The camera is no longer at arms' length.

0 upvotes

You must be a LOT younger than I am to say that!

3 upvotes

Impressed by the quality of the photos and very nice looking body - I hope it will be successful. These retro inspired compact cameras by Pentax, Fuji et al really are special, not sure which one to choose, but this would definitely be worth a try.

Comment edited 38 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Beautiful and knowing what Pentax can pull out of a sensor - Classic.

2 upvotes

Absolutely beautiful!

I think all modern DSLR look like black plastic blobs, very much unlike the early elegant SLR designs.

1 upvote

If this thing could record 1080P 50/60fps video and had one more control dial, it would be perfect. So I had to get an NEX 5R instead. Always liked Pentax handling since my K10D and wanted a pocketable camera, but need full frame rate video for my needs. MX-2?

0 upvotes

Newest Sony sensor, great zuiko lens (FEDman from prohardver says it's ordered from olympus, the same as in xz-2 and xz-1) and time lapse mode with 1/4000 shutter speed, all I can say is wow. The jpegs on photographyblog are very pleasing. Can't wait to see more.

Comment edited 56 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Given the size, weight and price of the MX-1, a hot shoe and external EVF option should have been included.
This is much larger than the Canon S series and the Sony RX where their is a size reason for not including a hot shoe and an EVF option.
No excuse for these omissions on the Pentax MX -1.
The smaller and cheaper Olympus ZX 10 lacks both, but it is smaller and cheaper.
This Pentax will fall between the cracks.
If you are going into the non pocketable grouping, the Fuji X 20 with a hot shoe with a built in EVF that has loads of information shown in the EVF and that had an extremely fast AF and an even larger sensor would be the way to go.
The Fuji X 20 even weighs significantly less than the Pentax.
If you want pocketable, this camera is too big and heavy and the Canon S and Sony RX are your choices.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 9 minutes after posting

4 upvotes

Too "big and heavy" for what? The MX-1 is 122 mm wide, only slightly more than the X20, but it's much shorter.

X20 353 gr
MX-1 391 gr

MX-1 vs X20 Size comparison

http://camerasize.com/compare/#396,404

The X20 is much taller, and the lens protrudes more. The X20 has a VF, but the MX-1 has the extremely useful tiltable LCD, a feature that the G15 removed, much to the chagrin of G-series fans.

IQ wise, the MX-1 scored better than the S110 and G15 on DxOMark, the same as the XZ-2. It has the best high ISO ability of any 1/1.7" sensor camera, only slightly worse performance in low-light than the excellent X10, which is superb for this class of camera.

You seem be having a hard time understanding why people are interested in the MX-1. I'm not sure why, but at least get your facts straight.

2 upvotes

I think it's endearing that the XZ-2 is shown as size comparison but not in the list of sensor size/focal length etc.

0 upvotes

Since they share the Sony 1/1.7" sensor, and a similar (or identical) lens, the MX-1 and XZ-2 focal lengths, aperture ranges, DOF equivalents, etc., will be the same.

Both nice cameras, but i much prefer to design of the MX-1 and don't see myself putting an external EVF on a compact.

2 upvotes

I always enjoyed using my Pentax SLRs and this seems to be a very nice camera; but, I wish it had, at least, the option of a VF like the XZ-2. I've yet to see an LCD that worked well in the sunlight (the tilting LCD helps maybe) ... It also seemed strange that the review compared this camera to the XZ-2 but didn't include that camera in its table ???

0 upvotes

You know, the more I look at this, the more I like it. I just think the price needs to settle. Maybe I can get it for $300 next Christmas on sale.

1 upvote

Just saw some full-size MX-1 sample jpeg and raw and they look fantastic. The f1.8-2.5 zoom seems to be extremely sharp, and files, particularly at low to mid ISOs look terrific. Sharp, detailed, with good colors.

MX-1 Full-size sample images (see link below)

http://www.quesabesde.com/noticias/pentax-mx-1-analisis-fotos-video,1_9433

6 upvotes

Nice website. Muchisimas gracias.

0 upvotes

Like many others I cut my teeth on a Pentax slr in my teens, so its always good to see the brand still plugging away, no matter who owns it. :-D

0 upvotes

Well - its BACK TO THE FUTURE - OM1 (now OM-D) MX (now MX-1) good luck to Pentax for 2013 - I look forward to the ME Super -1 and the FULL FRAME LX- 1 !!

0 upvotes

Thought I never reach to see it. Two years ago I posted a request more like a wish to Pentax and ex-owner Hoya for a retro camera series ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/36628247 ) and now it's finally here ! The mirror less design finally allows it ! Thank you Pentax and now also to Ricoh for making this come true ! Looking forward to Pentax LX-1 !

0 upvotes

What is it about the brassing through the black paint that looks so good?
A well used pro journo quality - nice.

0 upvotes

The brassing does look cool. The only thing is that film cameras like the Nikon FE or Pentax 67 that show wear marks on the top plate are many years old, whereas the typical digital camera has a much shorter lifespan because sensor performance is always improving. So I don't know if any MX-1 buyers will actually use the camera long enough for it to get that well used look with paint worn off.

Very nice looking camera though that will likely perform great.

2 upvotes

totally agree with you marike6. the digital cameras of today are toys...expensive ones too! and the sensor performance is not improving as camera manufacturers would like us to believe...its the ancillaries around it that are being improved...software and interfaces etc. and it is more profitable for companies to keep churning out newer cameras than offer software upgrades to the older ones...

0 upvotes

@sattva I'm glad you agree with me, but I never said any of that. I meant that digital camera have a much shorter life than film cameras so how do we get our MX-1 to show brassing?

I think that digital camera technology and sensors have improved to incredible levels so it is now possible for amateurs to have the exact same tools that pros have to achieve unprecedented IQ at prices that are the lowest they've ever been. I never said anything about toys, and don't believe that's true AT ALL.

1 upvote

Beautifully simple and knowing Pentax it will shoot the same way.
They seem to get more out of a sensor than anyone else.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Not half bad. Show me the samples.

0 upvotes

Yawn. Sorry, what?..yeah looks great...snore...

1 upvote

Though I am a Nikon user for more than three decades, I love this camera because of its simplicity in every respect and a high-class professional look. Wish this camera will be a great super hit all over the world.

5 upvotes

That camera has very good specification realy , i wonder its performance in a dark room for iso successfulity ...

0 upvotes

I really like this new MX-1. I'm in the market for a high end P&S, and I'll either get this camera, the X20, or possibly the XZ2. When I saw the images of the paint worn off, and the brass showing through it reminded my of my Pentax 67. Nice. If IQ is as good as the XZ-2 or G15 it will suit me just fine. The X20 is my top choice, but I keep coming back to this camera.

4 upvotes

Looks like a great camera to me. Seems to have a aura of desirability to my eyes. Sometimes you just have to own something that looks right, or is different from the norm, if you can combine both, all the better.
Pentax is an icon, Sony and Canon are not.

2 upvotes

Love the look! I love the idea of a camera made to wear**

Judging on how Pentax many to coax a decent quality out of the q10, I think it'll be good enough for me to bring everyday.

It would have been cool if they had the assignable lens ring but I guess they want to make sure the camera can be worked one-handed, which is great too!

Meh, the lack of external flash shoe doesn't worry me, I can always get a cheap Yong Nuo flash and use the flash trigger or even better get a hammer head camera flash and use it with that.

I'll be getting it for sure.

0 upvotes

Pentax is recycling names from its glorious past, but whether its current products will live up to those famous names depends on their feature set. The MX was a great camera that was better than the Olympus OM-1. It was smaller and yet more solidly built. Unfortunately, the new MX-1 does not seem to be competitive. It has a smaller sensor than its competitors, and that could be fatal. Looks like Pentax is blind to the recent trend of bigger sensors in new cameras. It is trying to minimize manufacturing cost while trying to convince users it has a superior product. I believe that is simply penny wise and pound foolish.

0 upvotes

My film MX is wincing in its case.....

3 upvotes

Well if they going to name it MX at least viewfinder would be nice........

2 upvotes

There's definitely hints of Ricoh on this camera. The power button lights up in green!

0 upvotes

There are cameras that exist to meet a need, then there are cameras exist to inspire process of photography. This camera is more of a latter than the former, unlike RX100. Sure, with 1inch sensor would make it better, but it's too early, wait till 2014-2015.

2 upvotes

The camera's placement of controls reminds me of Olympus OM-D E-M5 and even E-5. Record button on top, compensation dial, wheel on back, and direction controls on back instead of wheel. I like it.

0 upvotes

There is one more feature that was left out compared to the XZ2: The plug for the electronic viewfinder. I got one for my XZ1 and having the possibility to attach it to a camera that is still very pocketable (without it), is really a nice option.

0 upvotes

Wow, the RX100 still seems like the best camera of this class. They should have included the RX1 to the sensor chart, just for laughs.

Comment edited 56 seconds after posting

1 upvote

The RX100 definitely has the best sensor of this class, but with no VF, hot-shoe, slow f4.9 max aperture at full telephoto, less hard buttons than some other enthusiast compacts, I'm not sure it's the best camera.

3 upvotes

When you're a late entrant into this space, you'd better be offering something better than what is out there, or you're just inconsequential.
Yet another 1/1.7" sensor... good grief! Fuji has been offering a 2/3" for years now, and Sony just came out with 1"... it's about time this category left the smaller sensors behind.

1 upvote

I hope not!
A small sensor with a bright lens is an excellent combination that is hard to beat in terms of size and quality.

0 upvotes

It is amazingly boring how people (like you) can just read the specs of a sensor side and pass judgement. These are different technologies, and they are not made by the same manufacturer. There are variants here. You also get a faster lens.

Same story with the Q yet the Q does *way better* than many people like you who just read a paper sensor spec size expect.

1 upvote

You wish!

0 upvotes

my pentax Q with 1/2.3" sensor (released 2011) produces much better image quality than my new Lumix LX7 with 1/1.7" sensor (released 2012). so I personally optimistic about this new MX-1 (maybe better than 1" sensor Sony RX-100?). stop thinking bigger is better. it is the technology that matters, not the size.

0 upvotes

Looks time-tested -- classic, proven 1958 body design.

0 upvotes

It sure is pretty and I have this feeling will shoot very well!

0 upvotes

General consensus seems to be:

If it's a Pentax, shoot it down. I really don't get the mindset of some people.

9 upvotes

If Pentax were to make the exact same cameras as Canon, Nikon, Sony, on one would buy them. They have to be different.

0 upvotes

I shoot some of the "after ricoh purchased pentax" cameras down without hesitation but this one does deserve respect, but i feel often that ricohs design choices for example the newer dslrs, the "pentax wtf is its name again thats supposed to compete against the micro four thirds" and the mark whatever "artistic mirrorless" all deserved to go down in flames, i used to own the k10dnand k20d and those had a great look imo.

0 upvotes

It is about the same body size as a Nikon D series APS-C SLR- only the lens stops them being pocketable, but the IQ will be garbage in comparison. Do we hate our wives and children this much that we buy them these baubles, this bling, these trinkets??!!
They now ALL only last 10 years max as to cheat the rich guys with their full-frame machines and lenses these products are being made with lead-free solder that degrades growing whiskers that short-circuit everything. Irrepairable too.
Your CHOICE??

0 upvotes

Uh, any SLR is going to be at least almost twice as thick as a compact....

besides, modern small-sensor cameras are getting better than some technology buffs thought they would be.

1 upvote

Egad , these commom cameras sound absolutely ghastly and not even good enough for the memsahib and children. Fare makes you swoon. Pass me the smelling salts. These rich chaps have probably made their money in trade and are not true gentlemen. Degrades your growing whiskers as well, sounds utterly appalling if a chap cannot grow his moustaches to a point.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Alizarine i think that olympus might disagree with you, a film slr brings better quality and can be just as pocketable with the right lens and slr body.

0 upvotes

OMG, it is a camera!
For a second I mistook it for an Iphone rear sticker...

0 upvotes

At the bottom of the back wheel on the right, there is a remote controler port?. Am I wrong?

0 upvotes

Page 5 seems to suggest it.

0 upvotes

What kind of pictures does this camera take? Good? Bad? :)

0 upvotes

What kind of photographer does this camera require? Good or bad?

0 upvotes

You tell me.

I await your devastating reply.

Comment edited 45 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

when 1/2.3" sensor on Q outperform most of 1/1.7 " camera (near to sensor 2/3" on X10), can mx-1 macth fuji x20 with sensor 2/3"? http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/733%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/722%7C0/(brand2)/Pentax/(appareil3)/683%7C0/(brand3)/Panasonic

0 upvotes

The 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor is pretty recent, the 1/1.7" CCD in the Nikon is three years older.

Comment edited 41 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Why do you believe DXO values?
My experience is that they are pretty useless.

1 upvote

Three things this camera (or one a little bigger maybe) should have: 1" sensor, CX lens mount and a hot shoe. Actually just the hot shoe seems like a necessity in this market. I know, no way will there be a CX mount on a Pentax. LOL

0 upvotes

No it should not have a CX mount with a bigger sensor, cause then it would be too large.

0 upvotes

If the soviets had made a fake Leica X1 this is what it would look like.

2 upvotes

They can make curves you know. Many Leica III copies are the proof. Anyway if you ask me it looks like a Nikon SP.

Comment edited 13 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

How can we pretend these camera's have a retro look about them when there is no viewfinder?

2 upvotes

"Retro look" is hoke.
"Brass" is hoke.

No VF is a shortcoming.

This tweedle-dee of a camera is something of a snore.

For an extra $150, you can have an RX100 (also sans VF).

0 upvotes

Why the small sensor? I think the RX100 points the way in terms of minimum sensor size in this class of camera.

2 upvotes

No it does not.

0 upvotes

The question is, will the camera innards last long enough to make any brassing 'worthwhile'? An old mechanical camera with some brassing on it, has probably seen many years of use, due to it's lack of battery, LCD screen, digital sensor, circuit boards, and myriad other things to go wrong. I'd wager that not many MX-1s will be operational and looking well loved in fifty years time for example.

Comment edited 12 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

I have yet to see a digital cameras "innards" wear out from use. It's mechanical cameras that have an issue of "innards" wearing out because those are the cameras with actual moving parts that can wear out. Today's electronic cameras have very few, if any, moving parts inside them. Circuit boards don't "wear out." Digital sensors don't "wear out." Your statement reminds me of people who, years ago, used to say that top-plate LCD screens on film SLRs were a bad thing because those screens would not last long and would "wear out." LOL.

Plus, it looks like the construction of the MX-1 is a bit above your average throw-away plastic compact digicam.

At any rate, I think some of the people who buy the MX-1 will manually brass the camera with some steel wool or a Brillo pad in order to get that "brassed" look without having to wait years for it to happen naturally. It'll be a way for them to give their cameras a very personalized, aged look sooner rather than later.

3 upvotes

Perhaps "wear" is the wrong choice of words. Fail, would be better. Working, as I do, in camera retail, I do get to see an awful lot of older digital cameras that simply stop working, be it a sensor issue, or a connection between one board or another failing.
Also I'd say battery lifespan might be an issue. Sure you can pick up a spare Li-On battery now, but how easy will that be in five years time? Ten? If you can't get a manufacturers own brand battery after that period, will there be third party batteries, and if so, will you want to trust them in your lovely, antique looking MX-1?

0 upvotes

T3 tell that to samsung, my s2 i purchased a few months ago shorts out and turns off right away if i take 3 photos in a row with the led on.

0 upvotes

Is it just me, or does the bulbous tilting/spinning/flipping LCDs on these retro designs kind of ruin the look a little??

5 upvotes

Believe me it's not just you.

0 upvotes

Auto Lens cap (Olympus LC-63A) would be nice. Q10 top design (middle peak) to include Pentax name and hotshoe. Optional grip like XZ-2. Silver dials like X20. Wifi like Samsung.

Comment edited 13 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

WOndering if Olympus XZ-1 / XZ-2 lens adapter (CLA-12) would fit on it too... I might buy this.

But i also getting ready to buy a Pentax Q as well, whch s very affordable now.

Pentax, good to have you back. Give us more, we will buy YOU.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 207