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Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon S9300
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9700
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
  • Released August 2012
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Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S9500 (18MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was revealed 6 months later than the X-5 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S9500 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S9500 grades against the X-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Pentax X-5

 S9500 X-5 
Display resolution614k460kSharper display (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Nikon S9500

 X-5 S9500 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Pentax X-5

 S9500 X-5 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2012Same generation
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9500 offers outside measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the S9500 compared to the X-5.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and X-5 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The visual underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9500 and X-5.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S9500 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images much more aggressively.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
31
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
43
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detection focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography factors
Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (205 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 Sports photography factors
Pentax X-5 Sports photography factors
42
amazing zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition (205g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (550mm)
very good max aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (22mm)
very long reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (595g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography highlights
46
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
rather wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
36
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (205g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
26
rather wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
heavier than competition in class (595g)
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Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Pentax X-5
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Pentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Pentax X-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-29 2012-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
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 99 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230 thousand dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 7.5 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 9.10 m
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lb) 595 grams (1.31 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 230 photographs 330 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 4 x AA
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $230 $230