The Pentax MX-1 - With renewed interest in digicams, is it still relevant?
Capturing images with a digital camera has pretty much taken a back seat to my overwhelming interest in film photography these days. That being said, I would still like to take the time and talk a bit about one of my favorite digital cameras, the Pentax MX-1. Originally released in 2013, ( which is also when I purchased it ), this was a fairly high end compact camera which uses a 12 megapixel 1/1.7" size sensor. It wasn't a real compact camera nor was it really large - somewhere in between. You either loved the design or not so much. It has more of a retro design, which always appeals to me, and with a 35mm equivalent 4X - 28mm-112mm f/1.8-f/2.5 zoom lens this camera has produced some very nice results for me over the years.
 
This retro looking compact 12 megapixel digicam has served me well over the years. |
Not a super compact - the MX-1 is still considerably smaller than my K5IIs DSLR. |
I don't want to make this into a full blown review by any means, especially since there are already many full reviews on line. But to put it simply, this camera, which is capable of shooting both raw and jpg files, has all the basic features that I've ever required, like auto and manual focus, manual exposure, aperture priority, shutter priority and a program mode, which I only select if I need to use the built in pop up flash. Other modes like Auto Pic, User, HDR and Video are there but I have never had any use for those settings. There are also menu driven jpg picture modes, such a bright, natural and monochrome to name a few. The camera is nicely constructed with all brass top and bottom covers plates giving it a real solid feel. I really like the layout of the main basic controls. Having the shooting mode dial and the +/- exposure dial conveniently located on the top of the camera is big plus. I also find the menu of this camera easy to navigate. The viewing screen tilts up, which is nice for low angle shots. Not an issue for me, but an eye level viewfinder might have been nice. Adding that feature though, might have sacrificed the pop up flash or retro look. Again, for me, not a major issue.
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| Along with a tilt up screen for low angle shots I really like the concealed pop up flash and that the basic control wheels are located on the top cover, especially the +/- exposure control. |
So why would someone like me who is pretty much shooting exclusively film these days want to write about this camera. A camera that is antiquated compared to todays highly advanced digital cameras and smart phones. We'll, not only is there the continual growing number of film shooters these days but there is also now a growing number of digicam shooters looking for older small sensor compact digital cameras with lower mega pixels counts, in which this camera just might fit the bill. Of all the digital cameras I have owned or own to this point, this is still one of my favorites, and if I occasionally need a compact digicam for my personal work, this little camera gets the call. I especially like how the images from this camera convert to black and white.
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| Originally shot in color as raw files, these two photos were then converted to b&w in Photoshop with a bit of noise reduction. Today I might have nixed the noise reduction for even more of a film feel. |
With it's small 12 megapixel sensor and being manufactured in a period right on the cusp of the technology explosion which would vastly improve image resolution and noise reduction, this camera and similar cameras with either the same or smaller sensors can be a good choice for those looking to possibly achieve the feel and look of images that may have been captured on film. Especially those who are shooting 35mm film. Unlike todays digital cameras, a camera such as this can begin to experience noise in the photos when shooting at ISO's above 400, thereby simulating an experience a bit closer to that of shooting or pushing 35mm films to higher ISO ratings. Don't get me wrong though, this camera under the right conditions produces very sharp photos, and this camera at times can do pretty good up to 800, but again like film, especially 35mm and smaller formats, the small image sensor of it's day has it's limitations.
Cape May - NJ |
The Mohonk Mountain House - NJ |
Round Valley Reservoir - NJ |
Bushkill Fall - PA |
Williamsburg - VA |
The Virginian Hotel - Cape May - NJ |
Peddlers Village - PA |
The Mohonk Mountain House - NY State |
Whether shooting black and white or color, this camera has traveled with me to many places. And even though I don't use it as often as I have in the past, it has been an integral component in capturing more than just a few of my favorite photos. As previously mentioned, I am shooting almost all film photos these days, but I still call on the MX-1 from time to time. Because whether I want a film look or not, and understanding it's limitations, I feel this is still a neat little digital camera with a very nice lens, and in the right situations is still capable of producing excellent images and still has a spot in my camera bag.
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If you would like to view more photos that I have taken with the Pentax MX-1 click here or the photos above to visit my MX-1 photo Gallery and thanks so much for viewing my Photography Blog :)