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Contax N Digital vs Pentax MX-1

The Contax N Digital and the Pentax MX-1 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2002 and January 2013. The N Digital is a DSLR, while the MX-1 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (N Digital) and a 1/1.7-inch (MX-1) sensor. The Contax has a resolution of 6.1 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 12 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Contax N Digital
versus
Pentax MX-1
Contax N Digital   Pentax MX-1
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Contax N mount lenses 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5
6.1 MP – Full Frame sensor 12 MP – 1/1.7" sensor
no Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 50-1,600 ISO 100-12,800
Optical viewfinder No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.0" LCD – 200k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
4 shutter flaps per second 1 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
100 shots per battery charge290 shots per battery charge
152 x 138 x 80 mm, 990 g 122 x 61 x 51 mm, 391 g
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Check N Digital offers at
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Check MX-1 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Contax N Digital and the Pentax MX-1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Contax N Digital and the Pentax MX-1. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Contax N Digital vs Pentax MX-1
Compare N Digital versus MX-1 top
Comparison N Digital or MX-1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax MX-1 is considerably smaller (65 percent) than the Contax N Digital. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the N Digital nor the MX-1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the MX-1 has a lens built in, whereas the N Digital is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

As can be seen in the images above, the N Digital has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Contax N Digital 152 mm 138 mm 80 mm 990 g 100 i Feb 2002 US$ 7 399ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax MX-1 122 mm 61 mm 51 mm 391 g 290 i Jan 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1Ds 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1265 g 600 i Sep 2002 US$ 8 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 i Feb 2003 US$ 1 999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon D60 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 855 g 620 i Feb 2002 US$ 2 999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G15 107 mm 76 mm 40 mm 352 g 350 i Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 i Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
8.
 
Canon Rebel 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 i Aug 2003 US$ 899ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g 550 i Sep 2009 US$ 7 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 i Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
11.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 i Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
12.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 i Oct 2015 US$ 7 449ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D1X 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 i Feb 2001 US$ 5 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D100 144 mm 116 mm 81 mm 780 g 370 i Feb 2002 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon P7800 119 mm 78 mm 50 mm 399 g 350 i Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus XZ-2 113 mm 65 mm 48 mm 346 g 340 i Sep 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic LF1 103 mm 62 mm 28 mm 192 g 250 i Apr 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
  empty Camera
Model

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The MX-1 was launched at a lower price than the N Digital, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Contax N Digital features a full frame sensor and the Pentax MX-1 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the MX-1 is 95 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 4.5. The sensor in the N Digital has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the MX-1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Contax N Digital and Pentax MX-1 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the MX-1 offers a higher resolution of 12 megapixels, compared with 6.1 MP of the N Digital. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.89μm versus 11.90μm for the N Digital). However, it should be noted that the MX-1 is much more recent (by 10 years and 10 months) than the N Digital, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax MX-1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the MX-1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Contax N Digital are 15.2 x 10 inches or 38.6 x 25.5 cm for good quality, 12.2 x 8 inches or 30.9 x 20.4 cm for very good quality, and 10.1 x 6.7 inches or 25.7 x 17 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Contax N Digital has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax MX-1 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the N Digital is build around a CCD sensor, while the MX-1 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

N Digital versus MX-1 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Contax N Digital Full Frame 6.1 3040 2008i21.510.5128359
2.
 
Pentax MX-1 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.411.320849
3.
 
Canon 1Ds Full Frame 11.0 4064 2704i21.811.095463
4.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048i21.110.957157
5.
 
Canon D60 APS-C 6.3 3072 2048i20.39.830147
6.
 
Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.516546
7.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
8.
 
Canon Rebel APS-C 6.3 3072 2048i21.010.854455
9.
 
Leica M9 Full Frame 18.1 5212 3472i22.511.788469
10.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992i24.413.2213386
11.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992i25.114.1273993
12.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
13.
 
Nikon D1X APS-C 5.9 3008 1960i........
14.
 
Nikon D100 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000i20.49.939448
15.
 
Nikon P7800 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p21.211.720054
16.
 
Olympus XZ-2 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.411.321649
17.
 
Panasonic LF1 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.811.621152
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
  empty Camera
Model

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The MX-1 indeed provides for movie recording, while the N Digital does not. The highest resolution format that the MX-1 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the N Digital has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the MX-1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Contax N Digital and Pentax MX-1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Contax N Digitaloptical i2.0 / 200 fixed i 1/8000s 4.0/s i i
2.
 
Pentax MX-1i i3.0 / 920 tilting i 1/8000s 1.0/s i i
3.
 
Canon 1Dsoptical i2.0 / 120 fixed i 1/8000s 3.0/s i i
4.
 
Canon 10Doptical i1.8 / 118 fixed i 1/4000s 3.0/s i i
5.
 
Canon D60optical i1.8 / 114 fixed i 1/4000s 3.0/s i i
6.
 
Canon G15optical i3.0 / 922 fixed i 1/4000s 2.1/s i i
7.
 
Canon G16optical i3.0 / 922 fixed i 1/4000s 2.2/s i i
8.
 
Canon Rebeloptical i1.8 / 118 fixed i 1/4000s 2.5/s i i
9.
 
Leica M9optical i2.5 / 230 fixed i 1/4000s 2.0/s i i
10.
 
Leica M10optical i3.0 / 1037 fixed i 1/4000s 5.0/s i i
11.
 
Leica M10-Poptical i3.0 / 1037 fixed i 1/4000s 5.0/s i i
12.
 
Leica SL4400 i3.0 / 1040 fixed i 1/8000s 11.0/s i i
13.
 
Nikon D1Xoptical i2.0 / 120 fixed i 1/16000s 3.0/s i i
14.
 
Nikon D100optical i1.8 / 118 fixed i 1/4000s 3.0/s i i
15.
 
Nikon P7800921 i3.0 / 921 swivel i 1/4000s 8.0/s i i
16.
 
Olympus XZ-2optional i3.0 / 920 tilting i 1/2000s 5.0/s i i
17.
 
Panasonic LF1200 i3.0 / 920 fixed i 1/4000s 10.0/s i i
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
  empty Camera
Model

One feature that is present on the N Digital, but is missing on the MX-1 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The N Digital writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the MX-1 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Contax N Digital and Pentax MX-1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Contax N Digitalii / iiiiFWiii
2.
 
Pentax MX-1istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
3.
 
Canon 1Dsii / iiiiFWiii
4.
 
Canon 10Dii / iiii1.1iii
5.
 
Canon D60ii / iiii1.1iii
6.
 
Canon G15istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
7.
 
Canon G16istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
8.
 
Canon Rebelii / iiii1.1iii
9.
 
Leica M9ii / iiii2.0iii
10.
 
Leica M10ii / iiiiiiii
11.
 
Leica M10-Pii / iiiiiiii
12.
 
Leica SListereo / monoiifull3.0iii
13.
 
Nikon D1Xii / iiiiFWiii
14.
 
Nikon D100ii / iiii1.1iii
15.
 
Nikon P7800istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
16.
 
Olympus XZ-2istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
17.
 
Panasonic LF1istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
  empty Camera
Model

It is notable that the N Digital has a hotshoe, while the MX-1 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Contax N Digital (unlike the MX-1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the N Digital and the MX-1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Contax and Pentax. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Contax and Pentax websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Contax N Digital or the Pentax MX-1 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Contax N Digital:

  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4 vs 1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2002).

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Pentax MX-1:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (12 vs 6.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 37%.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 200k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the N Digital requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (122x61mm vs 152x138mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the N Digital).
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (290 versus 100) out of a single battery charge.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Reflects 10 years and 10 months of technical progress since the N Digital launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the MX-1 comes out slightly ahead of the N Digital (13 : 12 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

N Digital 12:13 MX-1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Contax N Digital and the Pentax MX-1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the N Digital and the MX-1 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Contax N Digital............ Feb 2002 US$ 7 399ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax MX-13/5....74/1004/54/5 Jan 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1Ds......+ +.... Sep 2002 US$ 8 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 US$ 1 999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon D60......+ +o.. Feb 2002 US$ 2 999ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G154/5+..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
8.
 
Canon Rebel......+ +.... Aug 2003 US$ 899ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 US$ 7 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
11.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
12.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 US$ 7 449ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D1X......+ +.... Feb 2001 US$ 5 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D100......+ +o.. Feb 2002 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon P78003/5......4/54.5/5 Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus XZ-24/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic LF13/5+....4/54.5/5 Apr 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
  empty  Camera 
 Model 

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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  • Fujifilm GFX 100RF
  • Fujifilm GFX 100S
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  • Fujifilm X-A1
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  • Panasonic S9
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  • Pentax 645D
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  • Pentax K-1
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  • Pentax K-3
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  • Pentax K-5
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  • Pentax K-30
  • Pentax K-50
  • Pentax K-70
  • Pentax K-500
  • Pentax KP
  • Pentax K-S1
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  • Pentax MX-1
  • Pentax Q
  • Pentax WG-8
  • Pentax WG-90
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  • Ricoh GR
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  • Samsung NX1
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  • Sony WX800
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  • YI M1
  • Zeiss ZX1
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Specifications: Contax N Digital vs Pentax MX-1

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

Camera Specifications
Camera Model Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Camera Lens Contax N mount lenses 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5
Launch Date February 2002 January 2013
Launch Price USD 7,399 USD 499
Sensor Specs Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor 1/1.7" Sensor
Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 7.6 x 5.7 mm
Sensor Area 864 mm2 43.32 mm2
Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 9.5 mm
Crop Factor 1.0x 4.5x
Sensor Resolution 6.1 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Image Resolution 3040 x 2008 pixels 4000 x 3000 pixels
Pixel Pitch 11.90 μm 1.89 μm
Pixel Density 0.71 MP/cm2 27.70 MP/cm2
Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
Movie Capability no Video 1080/30p Video
ISO Setting 50 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 49
DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 20.4
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.3
DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 208
Screen Specs Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder no viewfinder
Viewfinder Field of View 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x
Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
LCD Framing Live View
Rear LCD Size 2.0inch 3.0inch
LCD Resolution 200k dots 920k dots
LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
Shooting Specs Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
Continuous Shooting 4 shutter flaps/s 1 shutter flaps/s
Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
Storage Medium CF cards SDXC cards
Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
Connectivity Specs Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
External Flash Hotshoe no Hotshoe
Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
USB Connector Firewire USB 2.0
HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
Body Specs Contax N Digital Pentax MX-1
Battery Type Contax 4xAA Pentax D-LI106
Battery Life (CIPA)100 shots per charge290 shots per charge
Body Dimensions 152 x 138 x 80 mm
(6.0 x 5.4 x 3.1 in)
122 x 61 x 51 mm
(4.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 in)
Camera Weight 990 g (34.9 oz) 391 g (13.8 oz)
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