Pentax MX-1 vs Ricoh GR IIIx
The Pentax MX-1 and the Ricoh GR IIIx are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2013 and September 2021. Both the MX-1 and the GR IIIx are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/1.7-inch (MX-1) and an APS-C (GR IIIx) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Ricoh provides 24 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check MX-1 offers at
ebay.com

Check GR IIIx price at
amazon.com
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax MX-1 and the Ricoh GR IIIx? 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.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Pentax MX-1 and the Ricoh GR IIIx is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Ricoh GR IIIx is notably smaller (9 percent) than the Pentax MX-1. Moreover, the GR IIIx is markedly lighter (33 percent) than the MX-1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the MX-1 nor the GR IIIx are weather-sealed.
The power pack in the GR IIIx can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax MX-1 | 122 mm | 61 mm | 51 mm | 391 g | 290 | n | Jan 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Ricoh GR IIIx | 109 mm | 62 mm | 35 mm | 262 g | 200 | n | Sep 2021 | US$ 999 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon G15 | 107 mm | 76 mm | 40 mm | 352 g | 350 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon G16 | 109 mm | 76 mm | 40 mm | 356 g | 360 | n | Aug 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon S120 | 100 mm | 59 mm | 29 mm | 217 g | 230 | n | Aug 2013 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X-S10 | 126 mm | 85 mm | 65 mm | 465 g | 325 | n | Oct 2020 | US$ 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X10 | 117 mm | 70 mm | 57 mm | 350 g | 270 | n | Sep 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X20 | 117 mm | 70 mm | 57 mm | 353 g | 270 | n | Jan 2013 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Fujifilm X30 | 119 mm | 72 mm | 60 mm | 423 g | 470 | n | Aug 2014 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon P7800 | 119 mm | 78 mm | 50 mm | 399 g | 350 | n | Sep 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 116 mm | 87 mm | 57 mm | 402 g | 410 | n | Oct 2013 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Olympus XZ-2 | 113 mm | 65 mm | 48 mm | 346 g | 340 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic LF1 | 103 mm | 62 mm | 28 mm | 192 g | 250 | n | Apr 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Ricoh GR II | 117 mm | 63 mm | 35 mm | 251 g | 320 | n | Jun 2015 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Ricoh GR III | 109 mm | 62 mm | 33 mm | 257 g | 200 | n | Feb 2019 | US$ 899 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 V | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 299 g | 220 | n | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 VI | 102 mm | 58 mm | 43 mm | 301 g | 240 | n | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The MX-1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 50 percent) than the GR IIIx, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax MX-1 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and the Ricoh GR IIIx an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the GR IIIx is 753 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 4.5 and 1.5. The sensor in the MX-1 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the GR IIIx offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 24MP, the GR IIIx offers a higher resolution than the MX-1 (12MP), but the GR IIIx nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 1.89μm for the MX-1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the GR IIIx is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 8 months) than the MX-1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the GR IIIx has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Ricoh GR IIIx implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GR IIIx for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax MX-1 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.
The GR IIIx has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Pentax MX-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Ricoh GR IIIx are ISO 100 to ISO 102400 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax MX-1 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.4 | 11.3 | 208 | 49 | |
| 2. | Ricoh GR IIIx | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.2 | 13.8 | 2146 | 85 | |
| 3. | Canon G15 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/24p | 19.9 | 11.5 | 165 | 46 | |
| 4. | Canon G16 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 21.0 | 11.7 | 230 | 54 | |
| 5. | Canon S120 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 21.3 | 11.9 | 246 | 56 | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X-S10 | APS-C | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 4K/30p | 24.2 | 13.7 | 2057 | 85 | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X10 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.5 | 11.3 | 245 | 50 | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X20 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 20.1 | 10.9 | -462 | 46 | |
| 9. | Fujifilm X30 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 20.4 | 11.2 | -312 | 49 | |
| 10. | Nikon P7800 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 21.2 | 11.7 | 200 | 54 | |
| 11. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 1/1.7 | 11.8 | 3968 | 2976 | 1080/30p | 20.7 | 11.6 | 179 | 51 | |
| 12. | Olympus XZ-2 | 1/1.7 | 11.8 | 3968 | 2976 | 1080/30p | 20.4 | 11.3 | 216 | 49 | |
| 13. | Panasonic LF1 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 20.8 | 11.6 | 211 | 52 | |
| 14. | Ricoh GR II | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 13.7 | 1078 | 80 | |
| 15. | Ricoh GR III | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 1897 | 83 | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 V | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.4 | 586 | 70 | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 VI | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.1 | 12.3 | 478 | 64 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the GR IIIx provides a faster frame rate than the MX-1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The MX-1 and the GR IIIx are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. That said, the GR IIIx can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the GV-3. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Pentax MX-1 and Ricoh GR IIIx in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

| 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. | Pentax MX-1 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/8000s | 1.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 2. | Ricoh GR IIIx | optional | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Canon G15 | optical | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.1/s | Y | Y | |
| 4. | Canon G16 | optical | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.2/s | Y | Y | |
| 5. | Canon S120 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 12.1/s | Y | Y | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X-S10 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X10 | optical | n | 2.8 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X20 | optical | n | 2.8 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 9. | Fujifilm X30 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 10. | Nikon P7800 | 921 | n | 3.0 / 921 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 11. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 7.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 12. | Olympus XZ-2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 13. | Panasonic LF1 | 200 | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 14. | Ricoh GR II | optional | n | 3.0 / 1230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
| 15. | Ricoh GR III | optional | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 V | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 VI | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The MX-1 has one, while the GR IIIx does not. While the built-in flash of the MX-1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The Ricoh GR IIIx has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The MX-1 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the GR IIIx comes with a built-in prime. The MX-1 has a 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 optic and the GR IIIx offers a 40mm f/2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Pentax provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Ricoh. The MX-1 offers the faster maximum aperture.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the MX-1 and the GR IIIx write their files to SDXC cards. The GR IIIx supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the MX-1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 Pentax MX-1 and Ricoh GR IIIx and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax MX-1 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 2. | Ricoh GR IIIx | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 3. | Canon G15 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 4. | Canon G16 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 5. | Canon S120 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X-S10 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X10 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X20 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 9. | Fujifilm X30 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 10. | Nikon P7800 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 11. | Olympus Stylus 1 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 12. | Olympus XZ-2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Panasonic LF1 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 14. | Ricoh GR II | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 15. | Ricoh GR III | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 V | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 VI | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the GR IIIx offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the MX-1 does not provide wifi capability.
The GR IIIx is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Ricoh. In contrast, the MX-1 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the MX-1 from Pentax. Further information on the features and operation of the MX-1 and GR IIIx can be found, respectively, in the Pentax MX-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Ricoh GR IIIx Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Pentax MX-1 or the Ricoh GR IIIx – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Pentax MX-1:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.8).
- Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (290 versus 200) on a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (50 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2013).

Advantages of the Ricoh GR IIIx:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 44%.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
- Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
- Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 920k dots).
- Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4 vs 1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 129g or 33 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
- More modern: Reflects 8 years and 8 months of technical progress since the MX-1 launch.
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the GR IIIx is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax MX-1 and the Ricoh GR IIIx place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the MX-1 and the GR IIIx 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 why expert reviews are important. 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.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pentax MX-1 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Ricoh GR IIIx | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2021 | US$ 999 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon G15 | 4/5 | + | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon G16 | 4/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon S120 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X-S10 | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 86/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2020 | US$ 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X10 | .. | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X20 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2013 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Fujifilm X30 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2014 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon P7800 | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Olympus Stylus 1 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2013 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Olympus XZ-2 | 4/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic LF1 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Ricoh GR II | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Ricoh GR III | 4/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 81/100 | 4/5 | .. | Feb 2019 | US$ 899 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 V | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 VI | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2018 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
The above review scores should be interpreted 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 rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check MX-1 offers at
ebay.com

Check GR IIIx price at
amazon.com
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1D Mark IV vs Ricoh GR IIIx
- Canon 90D vs Pentax MX-1
- Canon S120 vs Ricoh GR IIIx
- Fujifilm X-Pro3 vs Ricoh GR IIIx
- Fujifilm XP120 vs Ricoh GR IIIx
- Nikon D5000 vs Pentax MX-1
- Nikon Z6 II vs Ricoh GR IIIx
- Olympus TG-5 vs Pentax MX-1
- Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax MX-1
- Pentax K-500 vs Pentax MX-1
- Pentax MX-1 vs Sony RX100 VI
- Ricoh GR IIIx vs Samsung NX1
Specifications: Pentax MX-1 vs Ricoh GR IIIx
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 Model | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
| Camera Lens | 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 | 40mm f/2.8 |
| Launch Date | January 2013 | September 2021 |
| Launch Price | USD 499 | USD 999 |
| Sensor Specs | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | 1/1.7" Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 7.6 x 5.7 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| Sensor Area | 43.32 mm2 | 366.6 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 9.5 mm | 28.2 mm |
| Crop Factor | 4.5x | 1.5x |
| Sensor Resolution | 12 Megapixels | 24 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 4000 x 3000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 1.89 μm | 3.91 μm |
| Pixel Density | 27.70 MP/cm2 | 6.55 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | no AA filter |
| Movie Capability | 1080/30p Video | 1080/60p Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 12,800 ISO | 100 - 102,400 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 | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
| Viewfinder Type | no viewfinder | Viewfinder optional |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 920k dots | 1037k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | no Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
| Continuous Shooting | 1 shutter flaps/s | 4 shutter flaps/s |
| Time-Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | Intervalometer built-in |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
| UHS card support | no | UHS-I |
| Connectivity Specs | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
| External Flash | no Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | no HDMI |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
| Bluetooth Support | no Bluetooth | Bluetooth built-in |
| Body Specs | Pentax MX-1 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
| Battery Type | Pentax D-LI106 | Ricoh DB-110 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 290 shots per charge | 200 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
122 x 61 x 51 mm (4.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 in) |
109 x 62 x 35 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 in) |
| Camera Weight | 391 g (13.8 oz) | 262 g (9.2 oz) |

Check MX-1 offers at
ebay.com

Check GR IIIx price at
amazon.com
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