Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7
60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67


84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched June 2013
- Old Model is Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Launched December 2011

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the K-5 II (16MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-5 II was announced 18 months later than the NEX-7 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the K-5 II scores versus the NEX-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-5 II and Sony Alpha NEX-7. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-5 II Gallery and Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony NEX-7
K-5 II | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | December 2011 | More recent by 18 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Pentax K-5 II
NEX-7 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony NEX-7
K-5 II | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 II offers physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the K-5 II compared to the NEX-7.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and NEX-7 is 60 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 II and NEX-7.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony NEX-7 to produce more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer K-5 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2013-06-04 | 2011-12-13 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 51200 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 760 gr (1.68 lbs) | 400 gr (0.88 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 82 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.8 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.1 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1235 | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 photographs | 430 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $830 | $699 |