Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5
80 Imaging
46 Features
34 Overall
41


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Launched January 2016
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
- Launched August 2012

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Following is a comprehensive overview of the Canon SX420 IS versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and X-5 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX420 IS was released 3 years after the X-5 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SX420 IS matches up against the X-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS & Pentax X-5. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX420 IS Gallery & Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Pentax X-5
SX420 IS | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2016 | ![]() | August 2012 | More modern by 42 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX420 IS
X-5 | SX420 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X-5
SX420 IS | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS has physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
Check the Canon SX420 IS versus Pentax X-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the X-5.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX420 IS and X-5 is 80 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and X-5.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon SX420 IS to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent SX420 IS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Pentax X-5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2016-01-05 | 2012-08-22 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 20 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230 thousand dot |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1500 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 0.5 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 325g (0.72 pounds) | 595g (1.31 pounds) |
Dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 195 shots | 330 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-11LH | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $299 | $230 |