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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 IIs was launched 21 months after the NEX-5N making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-5 IIs matches up vs the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Sony NEX-5N

 K-5 IIs NEX-5N 
AnnouncedJune 2013October 2011More modern by 21 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 NEX-5N K-5 IIs 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony NEX-5N

 K-5 IIs NEX-5N 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 IIs features external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-5 IIs compared to the NEX-5N.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 IIs and NEX-5N is 60 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The picture here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 IIs and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures though you will need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher K-5 IIs is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
58
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
65
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
70
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
has focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
supports RAW files
environment proofing
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
33
touchscreen
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax K-5 IIsSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 IIs Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-06-04 2011-10-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760g (1.68 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1208 1079
Other
Battery life 980 images 460 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $749 $550