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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(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
Pentax X-5
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Pentax X-5

 SX420 IS X-5 
LaunchedJanuary 2016August 2012More modern by 42 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX420 IS

 X-5 SX420 IS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X-5

 SX420 IS X-5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography features
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
44
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography features
Pentax X-5 Street photography features
52
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography factors
Pentax X-5 Sports photography factors
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX420 IS
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
61
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (595g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX420 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
47
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
47
has manual focus
decently wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
27
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (595 grams)
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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X-5
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPentax 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