Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550
60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
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63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched June 2013
- Succeeded the Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched December 2009
- Older Model is Sony A100
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-5 II versus Sony A550, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).
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The K-5 II was introduced 3 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-5 II scores versus the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-5 II and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-5 II Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony A550
K-5 II | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | December 2009 | Fresher by 43 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-5 II
A550 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A550
K-5 II | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II features outside dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-5 II versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-5 II against the A550.
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Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 II and A550 is 60 and 63 respectively.
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The visual here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 II and A550.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-5 II to provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-5 II is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Specifications
Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2013-06-04 | 2009-12-09 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | 51200 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 151 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 760 grams (1.68 pounds) | 632 grams (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 82 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.8 | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.1 | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | 1235 | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 photos | 480 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $830 | $749 |