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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon S9500
  • Updated by Nikon S9900
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
  • Released August 2012
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S9700 versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was introduced 18 months later than the X-5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S9700 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S9700 matches up vs the X-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Pentax X-5

 S9700 X-5 
ReleasedFebruary 2014August 2012Fresher by 18 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Nikon S9700

 X-5 S9700 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Pentax X-5

 S9700 X-5 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9700 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S9700 versus Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the S9700 against the X-5.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and X-5 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S9700 and X-5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you should factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher S9700 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9700
Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
37
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography factors
Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (232 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than others (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Sports photography highlights
53
amazing zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9700
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
69
lighter than competition in class (232g)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
45
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
47
focusing manually
rather wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9700
Vlogging with Pentax X-5
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (232 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
26
rather wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
heavier than others (595g)
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Pentax X-5
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Pentax X-5
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9700 Pentax X-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 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 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Largest aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dots
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 9.10 m
Flash modes TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232 grams (0.51 pounds) 595 grams (1.31 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 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 300 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $350 $230