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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX40 HS
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Canon SX30 IS versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was unveiled 23 months earlier than the X-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX30 IS grades vs the X-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Pentax X-5

 SX30 IS X-5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX30 IS

 X-5 SX30 IS 
AnnouncedAugust 2012September 2010More recent by 23 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Pentax X-5

 SX30 IS X-5 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX30 IS offers exterior dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") with a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has specifications of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX30 IS versus Pentax X-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SX30 IS versus the X-5.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and X-5 is 64 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The visual here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and X-5.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax X-5 to provide extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography factors
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
42
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography info
Pentax X-5 Street photography info
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition (601 grams)
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Sports photography info
Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
43
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
58
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (601 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
53
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (595g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography details
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
41
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
50
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (601 grams)
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Pentax X-5
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Pentax X-5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-09-14 2012-08-22
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601 grams (1.32 pounds) 595 grams (1.31 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $400 $230