Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5
92 Imaging
42 Features
37 Overall
40


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S9500 and Pentax X-5. The full galleries are available at Nikon S9500 Gallery and Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Pentax X-5
S9500 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+154k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Nikon S9500
X-5 | S9500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Pentax X-5
S9500 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2012 | Same generation |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Pentax 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 |