Pentax MX-1 Hands-On Preview

We get an exclusive look at the new Pentax MX-1 - the new serious compact from Pentax with retro styling.

07/01/2013 - 14:05

The new Pentax MX-1 is the latest compact camera from Pentax, and will be available in silver and black, as shown above, or black. The camera offers full manual controls, RAW shooting, a bright f/1.8-2.5 4x optical zoom lens, HDR shooting, a 12.1 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, and 3 inch tilting screen. We have an exclusive look at this new camera from Pentax that will be available from mid-February with an RRP of £399.

Key Features:

• 12.1 megapixel 1/1.7inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor
• f/1.8 - f/2.5 4x optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-112mm
• Shake Reduction (SR) Sensor Shift Image Stabilisation
• 3inch tilting screen, 920k dots
• 1cm super macro mode
• 25 AF points individually selectable
• Fast release lag 0.019s, 1.6s start-up time
• ISO100 - ISO12800
• Textured rubber grip, with brass top and bottom plates
• In camera RAW (DNG) processing
• Full HD video recording, time-lapse, high speed video
• Electronic level
• IR sensor for remote control at front and back

The Pentax MX-1 features a brand new "state-of-the-art" imaging engine, ISO upto 12800, as well as built in sensor-shift image stabilisation. The mode dial features direct access to P/A/S/M as well as HDR shooting and the top also features an exposure compensation dial, with the rear featuring an AEL button.



With our brief hands on look at the camera, we found the camera responded quickly with quick focus and shutter response, and although it was a pre-production model used, and therefore we couldn't post any photos taken with it, the camera appeared to have an extensive range of options available in the menus and on screen controls. The build quality and handling of the camera, with rubberised grip that covers the front of the camera, was very good, with a premium camera feeling that made it feel like it was worth more than the £399 asking price.

Pentax MX-1 Hands-On Photos of Equipment

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