Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Launched January 2013
- Replaced the Nikon P510
- Newer Model is Nikon P530
(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
- Released August 2012

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The P520 was manufactured 6 months after the X-5 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the P520 grades against the X-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P520 and Pentax X-5. The entire galleries are available at Nikon P520 Gallery and Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax X-5
P520 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Nikon P520
X-5 | P520 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax X-5
P520 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2012 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon P520 has physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") and a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has specifications of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
See the Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the P520 and the X-5.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and X-5 is 66 and 65 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the P520 and X-5.
As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon P520 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax X-5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-01-29 | 2012-08-22 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230 thousand dots |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 9.10 m |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 550 grams (1.21 lb) | 595 grams (1.31 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 photos | 330 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL5 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $380 | $230 |