Compact Luxury Photography At Its Finest - Pentax MX-1 Review - Looks Great Shoots Better

The Pentax MX-1 has been a bucket list camera of mine for a while. It does not disappoint. Looks, image quality, and usage is on par with the best compact cameras I have used. It may not be for everyone, but for those wanting a stylish compact camera with stellar image quality and features, the Pentax MX-1 would suit you well.

Read my first impressions here

See pictures taken on the camera here

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#pentax

[slimphotog]

Bring back the MX-1, the Q, the K-01 ... so many fun and innovatively designed Pentax cameras.

[thissidetowardscreen]

Bought an MX-1, everything you said is true. It is one of those cameras that is a joy to have and to use. Small leather bag, a few batteries and I am ready to go! No fuss and beautiful images!

[Milosh]

Always thought this was such a cool camera, but never realized it was so capable. Good stuff

[GreenMorningDragonProductions]

Bought one in reasonably good condition for $200 on Amazon japan about a month ago. It's waaaay more photogenic than it looks (and handles) in real life. Much more of a clunky brick than I expected, and I thought long and hard (2 years and more) before buying. But that's by-the-by, at least in regard to the aesthetics. Love my Q though I do, the screen blindness issues in daylight and the fact that the Q has a fixed screen were the primary reasons I added an MX-1 to my collection.

[lukeekry]

Best camera is the one you have with you! Nice review, nice pictures. I am starting to look for something small like this. Thanks!

[chelseajupiter]

Fun fact: the sensor and lens on this camera are a joint package that Pentax and several other makers licensed from some random oem. There's also a casio, and the Olympus XZ2. Really different cameras considering they use the same sensor and lens.

[Gynra]

I still have my MX-1, which is currently being used (on loan) by my son. It's a great little camera, though dynamic range isn't its strong point. I also have a Q7, which I love, though it doesn't get much use nowadays. You should try that camera, if you haven't already. It's amazing how many features are packed into such a tiny body.

[TL-vtuk]

I love my MX-1 too! It takes great photos and I believe was a head of it's time. Thanks!

[johnjon]

OMG at 2:56 there is a Bowfinger incident involving the Chubby Rain!!!! A must watch movie.

[knky_in_aperture_priority]

You and Mattias do very good job on this little marvelous camera

[GuidoMengelberg]

I was asked the other day when using the silver top and bottom model, why I wouldn't shoot digital photos. I needed a second or two to answer... ;-)

[JerryLass]

I did miss this camera completely.
But I have to have it.
My first proper camera was the MX. And I still would use it if I still would shoot film.

[AlOne-xgdv]

it is quite tempting, even is some forums talk about the slow raw writing speed.

[キマタマタキ]

I have Pentax MX-1 too. It’s a good digital camera, I love it!

[ArminHirmer]

yep, this design and an APS-C CCD sensor and I would be happy :D

[BiggeDink]

I especially like the colors it produces when using the reversal film setting. One of my favorite compact cameras.

[TheJourneyAhead]

Nice camera, I totally forgot Pentax had these.
I just got an Pentax Q and I'm very happy with it and its many tiny cute lenses.
Do you think the MX-1 could other the same fun and creativity with only one lens?

[renerazon]

I love my 2nd MX1 i bought used for $250. after my 1st was lost in the airport. Still taking good pictures with it after 10 yrs though the lens would not retract anymore.

[allinsiteUK]

Great relaxed review style, as usual. Thought your comment on needing a lens hood/shade when showing shots taken with the sun in the frame was a little misleading as I can't imaging a lens hood would make any difference in such compositional situations. I have an Olympus SH-21 and I get the same lines of red spheres showing up when shooting the sun through dark hedging foreground. Have always wondered what the cause of this is, as it does not seem to be a lens internal reflection type artifact. If someone knows the science I would love to be enlightened. 😉📷

[jbradfordphoto]

Nice photos man! I've wanted one of those cameras for a bit now.