Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5
88 Imaging
35 Features
51 Overall
41


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
- Introduced January 2011
(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

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Let's look much closer at the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax X-5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and X-5 (16MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and X-5 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

The XZ-1 was unveiled 19 months prior to the X-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the XZ-1 matches up vs the X-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus XZ-1 & Pentax X-5. The full galleries are provided at Olympus XZ-1 Gallery & Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Pentax X-5
XZ-1 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+154k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Olympus XZ-1
X-5 | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 19 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax X-5
XZ-1 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-1 enjoys outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has proportions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax X-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the XZ-1 versus the X-5.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-1 and X-5 is 88 and 65 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by checking technical specs. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the XZ-1 and X-5.
As you can tell, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XZ-1 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax X-5 will give extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older XZ-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Olympus XZ-1 | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus XZ-1 | Pentax X-5 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-01-26 | 2012-08-22 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.63" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 8.07 x 5.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 44.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3664 x 2752 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Maximal aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 614k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | OLED | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230k dot |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1500 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.60 m (ISO 800) | 9.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 275 gr (0.61 lbs) | 595 gr (1.31 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 34 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 18.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 117 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 photos | 330 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | Li-50B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $567 | $230 |