Although in the MX1 also a small sensor is installed, the Pentax said competitors delivered compared to my eyes a noticeably better BQ from, especially with regard to the sharpness, clarity and brilliance of the images at low ISOs, but also a bit better noise performance at higher ISOs. It is worthwhile to look at the comparison on dkamera.de times. Apparently, it creates Pentax somehow get more out of the small sensor. Much of the welfare of the excellent imaging properties of the lens. Compared to dkamera.de the differences in both JPEG and Raw are visible. I'm actually impressed.
The Pentax is sharp even at maximum aperture into the corners and has an incredible resolution for the small 12 MP sensor. For my eyes the imaging performance of the lens exceeds (in some designs even clearly) my otherwise beloved RX100 S2 and the pictures make it even in noise performance at high ISO relatively up close (just over one stop worse than the Sony) what the Pentax then her bright lens at longer focal lengths can be almost completely open to RX100-2 even. The noise of the MX-1 is usually very pleasant. Mainly luminance noise, little color noise and the JPEG engine draws little soft even at high ISO. At very low light, but eventually you realize already that only a very small sensor is installed.
The free parking potential is very similar to the Sony RX100 in the MX1 - what it lacks in size sensor, is balanced by the more open bezel.
What I also liked a lot, the manifold adjustability and beautiful Quick Menu is (similar to Fuji). Real lace is the mechanical processing. For example, the mechanism of the Klappdispays makes a much wertigeren impression and is also easier to use than in the RX100-2. But carries it on more.
Very beautiful is the good macro capability. Unfortunately, the highest magnification is only at the shortest focal length with 1cm distance, so for example, insects only suitable (flight distance).
Another point that stands out very positively to me, is the great automatic exposure (P + car). Veer towards faster shutter speeds, which comes to meet me personally very. Many others try with slow shutter speeds to keep the ISO low and to exhaust the image stabilizer, but this leads to motion blur. In my Fuji X20 could the true set in Auto ISO, the automatic beat but then often extreme other capers and chose completely incomprehensible combinations (eg 28mm landscape shot f / 9, ISO 400 and 1 / 1650s), which even in daylight led often to completely vermatschten images. That was the main reason to separate myself from the X20 for me. I rely entirely at times also on the automatic and do not want to constantly have to control everything manually.
Also the auto focus deserves high praise. Is fast and sits almost always perfect (my Fuji X20 was much often times next to it). Seems to me even more accurate than the RX100, which also has a very good AF. Only in macro it pumps from time to time very strong. (I almost always use only central setting of the AF-field) is also super: up to 1 / 8000s shutter speed and additionally internal neutral density filter with 3 stops.
There is little what me at the MX-1 does not like so much:
My main gripe, I found out just in time: the JPEG engine has a kind of "red-green weakness". I'm still experimenting on, adjust the colors so that both red and green shades and skin notes simultaneously. Either the red tends to magenta including reddish skin tones or green is too dark-bluish and with too few yellow shades. I've tried a lot and it was always beyond it to decide if you want to photograph more (green) scenery or other motives. Person in front of beautiful scenery is already difficult. This is a harsh shortcoming for everyday use, which is why I have also reduced the points to four for me. I therefore use the camera in the future in doubt only in the RAW format. The best results in JPEG I earn now for my taste with "bright" and manual modification of the automatic white balance, two points and two points night right up (G2, A2). When Raw developed in Lightroom, you can see that the embedded color profile from Pentax is the problem. Taking in the Lightroom Kamerakalibrieriung instead the default Adobe standard, then, the colors almost perfect. This conclusion: fantastic in RAW images that can match in quality even with my MFT System Camera (Olympus EM10), in JPEG are some colors barely get added in their natural effect.
-A Good second waiting time between images (JPEG) and until after a shot can zoom again. Is in JPEG not unbearable, but compared to the LF1 or Olympus Stylus 1 noticeably sluggish. However, in the case of simple Raw Class (Read 30MB / 20MB write) 10 memory cards 3s wait! This is then reduced with faster cards (45 MB read / write 30 MB), however, to something more tolerable 2s. So use the fastest possible card. - Addendum: but with even faster cards no longer better than 2s.
-In Broad daylight is not actually read the display well even at maximum brightness, but true for many cameras. Right next to the RX100 held but already visible slightly darker (when set to maximum in two cameras). By foldability of the monitor you but always finds a way to see the subject sufficiently even in bright light
-Kantenanhebung (Focus Peaking) with manual focus is missing, only automatic Lupe
-Schwacher Panorama mode, where you have to put the images themselves to overlap
-very hard and etws clunky and is due to the low in relation to the width height less than optimal in the hand. But very grippy outer skin and the feel of a Leica X2.
-Loser Lens cap - Olympus Stylus 1 in the meantime the automatic lens cover as standard here. But is it possible for a few euros retrofit (tip at the bay to "Automatic Protection Lens Cap MX-1" search).
A joke, by the way, the so-called "digital wide angle". By assembling two vertical images should we get a 17-mm wide-angle effect. A good idea, but in the MX-1, only one completely blurred 3 megapixel mush comes out. I use as an alternative solution by the way the free and very good photo-Stitch software (Microsoft Image Composite Editor - ICE). So you can be (very easy to use, since automatic) self assemble multiple images for panorama, also vertical and high resolution. Times can replace a strong WW Lens in an emergency.
Conclusion: for me class winner (class of 1 / 1.7 or 2/3 "sensors) in the optical performance of the lens and also tend in noise performance Leaving aside the above-described color problems JPEG machine, then is the MX-1 in. pure image quality at low ISO of all focal lengths and at maximum aperture even clear before my Sony RX100-2. The higher resolution of 20 MP Sony over the 12 MP of the Pentax is not recognized even at 100% view, which really only on the clear may be a better lens the MX1. Even in test at the photo magazine was the MX-1 in the resolution, incredibly, even on a par with the full RX-1 (Net Size). The extreme sharpness of Pentax at all focal lengths and maximum aperture can with my Olympus OMD EM10 itself 1.7 / 20 still keep up with the Lumix fixed focal length. In Raw developed with Lightroom are the images from the MX-1 with the jpegs from the OMD even in 100% view on an equal footing, and that's saying something.
The biggest drawbacks for me are the difficult color setting the JPEG engine, the inertia between two recordings (especially in RAW) and a slightly dark display. For the current price of around 270 euros from Amazon but an interesting choice, if you like the size and shape of the camera, you do not mind the weaknesses and emphasis on optimum image quality in RAW. For pure JPEG shooters I would recommend it only partially, at least if you do not want to deeply incorporate into the settings. The one with the JPEG color is really a pity, otherwise this camera would be a real overachiever, even some of the DSLR could look old.
Oh yes: battery life is absolutely ok for a compact. While standing in the operating instructions only 290 pictures, with me but it was enough for about 400th
Tip for a nice and inexpensive leather wrist strap: Smarstar Digital Camera Carry Wrist Strap band bracelets - black. As a camera bag I use the Basic Amazon. The MX-1 + Spare battery and SD card fit exactly pure. Wearing the belt hardly, however little and padded cover is rain and dustproof AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case black.
