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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550

Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(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
Sony A550
(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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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony A550

 K-5 II A550 
LaunchedJune 2013December 2009Fresher by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-5 II

 A550 K-5 II 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A550

 K-5 II A550 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 II and A550 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 II
Portrait photography with Sony A550
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
71
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography info
Sony A550 Street photography info
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
Sony A550 Sports photography factors
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
Travel photography with Sony A550
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
51
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (480 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
66
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Sony A550
 Pentax K-5 IISony 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