Pentax Pentax MX-1 enthusiast compact announced

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Pentax MX-1 hands-on preview: Digital Photography Review

Highlights:

12MP backlit CMOS sensor
4x zoom; 28-112mm equivalent; F1.8-2.5 lens
ISO 100-12800
3.0 inch, 920K dot LCD screen
JPEG, RAW (DNG), RAW+JPEG capture
1080p 30fps video recording with stereo microphones
Rear control dial
EV dial
Pentax SLR-like interface
HDR mode

Perhaps an Oly XZ-2 variation?
 
The lens looks an awful lot like the XZ-2! But surely Pentax would create their own?

I guess we'll find out once we see some sample images. I don't recall when and if Pentax ever had an enthusiast level small sensor fixed lens compact. I do like the look of the MX1 better than the XZ2.
 
I wonder what this does for the chances of a Ricoh GRD 5 appearing?
While it's easy to argue that they're rather different, one being tiny with a prime and one being a bit larger with a zoom, they'd probably sit right in the same price range.
 
Hmm... the question for me, and many others I suspect, is whether the MX represents any kind of practical improvement over the Q. Yes, the Q has interchangeable lenses and the MX has a fixed zoom. But the 01 prime is f/1.9 at 47mm and the 02 zoom is f/2.8-4 from something like 28 to 85mm. The 06 zoom is a constant f/2.8 from 85 to 250mm.

But the MX's specs do look suspiciously like those of the XZ-2.
 
Okay... at $499 is this camera more or less attrative than an Olympus E-PM2 at the same price? Or a Fuji X20, which I assume will list at the same $599 as the X10 when it came out? The Pansonic LX7 isn't on sale any more, but seems to be going for $449.
 
All the different companies have spoiled me with their different models and pricing free fall. There were so many awesome cameras for sale around Christmas for $299 or less, I will never pay more than $299 for a compact again. Why would you?
 
Exactly right. Unless one of your cameras was totally destroyed and you needed to replace it immediately, all you have to do is wait until Christmas season. You can buy a new camera every year - even two - and not feel too much pain.
 
It doesnt appeal at all. I might be a Pentaxian but have so far been unimpressed with their compacts which actually aren't very good. The sensor, I would hope, is the same as the one in the Ricoh GRDs, so that's a plus, but its not enough to get me to buy one. Unless they are really dead cheap and that's a possibility given how the Pentax reputation isn't that good.

@Luke: this is their first venture into serious compact territory. I wonder if there's anything of the GRD in there at all. That could tempt me, if there were.
 
I think the sensor is too small, but it's a nice looking camera.

Added- I hope this works out for Pentax. I was a Pentax user for a long time before switching to Nikon because I wanted a FF camera. I kept waiting for Pentax to release one....sigh.... I'm a big fan of the company and they make very good lenses.
 
I would choose the X20 over this. Loved the X10, and fortuna ... I mean ... unfortunately, my dad permanently borrowed my X10. So I do need a new "serious" compact!
 
I will add this about the MX-1: I didn't think I'd buy a Pentax K-01 or Q when they came out. But when the prices dropped, I bought both and discovered how much fun they are. Given most of the remarks so far, do I see a $299 MX-1 under my tree next Christmas?
 
I will add this about the MX-1: I didn't think I'd buy a Pentax K-01 or Q when they came out. But when the prices dropped, I bought both and discovered how much fun they are. Given most of the remarks so far, do I see a $299 MX-1 under my tree next Christmas?

I was thinking about the Q, but looks like the little 50mm (EFL) fast prime is nowhere to be found nowadays.
 
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