Pentax MX-1 vs Canon PowerShot S95

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95
      59
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      56
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax MX-1 and the Canon PowerShot S95, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Pentax MX-1 was introduced in July 2013 and Canon PowerShot S95 was introduced in November 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Pentax MX-1 Highlights

      • 12 MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points (25 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
      • 1.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot S95 Highlights

      • 10 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.9 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Pentax MX-1
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot S95
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax MX-1 and Canon PowerShot S95.

      PROS

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 49
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 47
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Pentax MX-1

      Pentax MX-1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax MX-1 over Canon PowerShot S95.

      Pentax MX-1 vs Canon PowerShot S95
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel vs 10 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 3,200
      Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 3648 x 2736
      More Focus Points 25 vs 9
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Reachs More Telephoto 112 mm vs 105 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 4x vs 3.8x
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/1.8 vs f/2.0
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/2.5 vs f/4.9
      Min Macro Focus Distance 1 cm vs 5 cm
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 461k dot
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/1600 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 1.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 208 vs 153
      Higher DxO Overall Score 49 vs 47
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      More Storage Slots 1 vs 0

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax MX-1.

      Pentax K-01
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Nikon Z30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon R7
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon R10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Kodak Z5120
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Fujifilm X-T30 II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Canon R8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon R50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon R3
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      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot S95

      Canon S95
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot S95 over Pentax MX-1.

      Pentax MX-1 vs Canon PowerShot S95
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Min Normal Focus Distance 60 cm vs 50 cm
      Speaker vs Stereo
      Lighter 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz) vs 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot S95.

      Canon S200
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon S110
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon S120
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon S90
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      1/1.7-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon S100
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Sony W350
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Pentax RZ10
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      1/2.33-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon R5 C
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      Full Frame

      45.0 MP

      Panasonic 3D1
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Pentax MX-1 Canon PowerShot S95
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO12,8003,200
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Type D Mini
        Light391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz)195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Pentax MX-1 Canon PowerShot S95
        Small Sensor1/1.7-inch1/1.7-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor12 Megapixel10 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Continuous Shooting1.0 fps0.9 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low DxO Overall Score4947
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        No Built-in Microphone
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen

      Screen

      Pentax MX-1 and Canon PowerShot S95 have 3.0" screens with 920k dot and 461k dot resolutions respectively. Pentax MX-1 has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Canon PowerShot S95 has a Fixed screen

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      Pentax MX-1 with Tilting screen

      Sensor

      Pentax MX-1 features a 12 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 41.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Canon PowerShot S95 features a 10 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 31.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.

      Photography Features

      Pentax MX-1 can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3984 x 2656, 3968 x 2232, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048, 3072 x 1728, 2592 x 1728, 2560 x 1440, 2048 x 1152 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot S95 is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2736 x 2736, 2192 x 2736, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1064, 1696 x 2112, 1200 x 1200, 960 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480, 384 x 480, 320 x 240 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Pentax MX-1 has a Type D Mini HDMI and Canon PowerShot S95 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Pentax MX-1 comes with D-Li-106 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots and Canon PowerShot S95 comes with NB-6L battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Pentax MX-1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Canon PowerShot S95 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax MX-1, and up to 1/1600 sec on Canon PowerShot S95. Pentax MX-1 can shoot continuously up to 1.0 fps. Canon PowerShot S95 can shoot continuously up to 0.9 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m on Pentax MX-1 and 6.50 m on Canon PowerShot S95. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot S95.

      Physical Parameters

      Pentax MX-1 body has dimensions of 122 x 61 x 51 mm (4.8 x 2.4 x 2.01") and Canon PowerShot S95 body has dimensions of 100 x 58 x 30 mm (3.94 x 2.28 x 1.18"). Pentax MX-1 weighs 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz) and Canon PowerShot S95 weighs 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz).

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      122 mm

      61 mm

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      100 mm

      58 mm

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      51 mm

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      30 mm

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      Size comparisons of Pentax MX-1 and Canon PowerShot S95

      Pentax MX-1 and Canon PowerShot S95 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      POOR
      53
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      GOOD
      83
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Pentax MX-1 and Canon PowerShot S95 and give them scores of 59 and 56 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      OVERALL
      59
      OVERALL
      56

      Sensor

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 49
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 47

      Photo

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      GOOD
      71
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      POOR
      50
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      50
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Pentax MX-1

      Canon PowerShot S95

      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 391 g (0.86 lb / 13.79 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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