Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing your next camera is a pivotal decision in your creative photography journey. Today, we put two very different cameras head-to-head: the Pentax K-5 IIs, a mid-size DSLR that targets advanced photographers, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400, a small sensor superzoom bridge camera aiming for casual versatility and impressive zoom range. Both released around the mid-2010s but fulfilling very different roles, their features, usability, and image quality cater to distinct audiences.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into their specifications, practical performance across key photographic disciplines, and real-world value. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which fits your photography style and needs best.

First Impressions: Build, Ergonomics, and Design

Your interaction with a camera begins the moment you hold it, so build quality and ergonomics deserve focused attention.

Pentax K-5 IIs: Solid, Weather-Sealed DSLR Heritage

The Pentax K-5 IIs offers a traditional DSLR experience with a mid-size SLR form factor. Weighing 760g and measuring 131 × 97 × 73 mm, it sits comfortable in your hands with a reassuring heft.

• Body design: The body features weather sealing, a rarity in this price and class, meaning you can confidently shoot in rain or dusty environments.
• Controls: Physical buttons and dials provide tactile precision. The fixed 3-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD is clear though not touch-enabled.
• Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification delivers an immersive framing experience.

Sony H400: Bridge Camera with Impressive Zoom, Compact Size

Sony’s H400 is designed more like an SLR but is ultimately a bridge camera with a fixed lens and small sensor.

• Form factor: Larger than many point-and-shoots due to massive zoom, but notably lighter at 628g. Dimensions are 130 × 95 × 122 mm.
• Build: Plastic-heavy with no environmental sealing - something to consider if you shoot outdoors a lot.
• Controls: Basic physical buttons, no touchscreen, and a modest-resolution electronic viewfinder (201k dots) make operation straightforward but less refined.
• LCD: 3-inch Clear Photo LCD with 460k dots, suitable but modest by modern standards.

Why this matters: If you prioritize ruggedness and intuitive handling for long shoots or in challenging conditions, Pentax’s DSLR form wins. For travel or casual everyday use where portability and zoom flexibility matter, the H400’s lighter package appeals.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Now, let's get into the essence of what defines photographic output: sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 IIs: APS-C CMOS Without Anti-Aliasing Filter

This camera boasts a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.7x15.7 mm), with no anti-aliasing (AA) filter - significantly enhancing sharpness and detail resolution.

• Processor: Prime II for efficient, clean image processing.
• Dynamic Range: Excellent at 14.1 stops per DXOmark, enabling rich shadow and highlight detail.
• Color Depth: High at 23.9 bits, translating to vivid, lifelike colors.
• High ISO Performance: ISO 100–12800 native, expandable to 80–51200, with a low-light score of 1208, indicating strong performance in dimmer conditions.

Sony H400: Small 1/2.3" CCD Sensor with High Resolution

Featuring a 20MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), the H400 squeezes a high resolution but sacrifices sensor size and noise handling.

• Sensor size vs Pentax: Only 28.07 mm² compared to 372.09 mm² for K-5 IIs, meaning less light per pixel - impacting noise levels and dynamic range.
• Dynamic Range and Color: Not officially tested by DXOmark but typical of small sensors, expect limited dynamic range and tighter tonal gradation.
• ISO Range: ISO 80–3200 native, no extended boost, with noisier results even at moderate ISOs.

Testing insight: Larger APS-C sensors have inherent advantages in image quality, especially in low light and dynamic range, while small sensors tend to struggle with noise and detail retention. The K-5 IIs’s lack of AA filter further pushes image clarity beyond the H400’s capabilities.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed: Capturing Action

Your autofocus system defines how well you can track subjects, essential in fast-paced environments like sports and wildlife.

Pentax K-5 IIs: Advanced 11-Point AF with 9 Cross-Type Points

• AF technology: Hybrid system combining phase and contrast detection.
• Focus points: 11 with 9 cross-type points - offers good accuracy and tracking capability.
• Face detection: Included, but animal eye AF is absent, limiting automatic wildlife focus.
• Continuous shooting: 7 fps burst speed, suitable for moderate action sequences.

Sony H400: Basic Contrast-Detection Autofocus, Single AF Mode

• AF points: Not specified; limited number and no cross-type sensors.
• Continuous shooting: 1 fps, which effectively limits it to static subjects.
• Face detection: Present, but no advanced tracking.

Real-world impact: The Pentax K-5 IIs shines for sports and wildlife photographers requiring quick response and consistent AF tracking. The H400’s AF is slow and less reliable beyond casual shooting or still subjects.

Durability and Weather Resistance: How Tough Are These Cameras?

Outdoor photographers need cameras that endure environmental stress.

• Pentax K-5 IIs: Features comprehensive weather sealing against moisture and dust, essential for landscape, wildlife, and travel photographers.
• Sony H400: No sealing or ruggedness claims; best used in fair weather-stable conditions.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

The interface and framing tools impact your shooting experience.

Pentax’s optical viewfinder delivers a natural, lag-free preview with excellent framing accuracy, favored by traditionalists and professionals. The Sony’s electronic viewfinder, while useful for instant exposure preview, suffers from lower resolution and possible display lag.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Expanding Creative Potential

As you grow in photography, lens choices become critical.

Pentax K-5 IIs: Adaptable KAF2 Lens Mount

• Lens availability: Over 150 Pentax lenses and compatible third-party options.
• Focal length multiplier: 1.5x crop factor on APS-C.
• Lens types: From ultra-wide-prime through professional telephotos, plus macro, fisheye, and tilt-shift lenses.
• Stabilization: In-body 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization works with all lenses.

Sony H400: Fixed Lens Bridge Camera

• Focal length: Massive 25-1550mm equivalent (63.3× zoom) covers vast shooting scenarios.
• Aperture: Variable F3.4–6.5 limits low-light flexibility.
• No lens interchangeability: You're confined to the built-in zoom lens.

Lens ecosystem weighs heavily in favor of the Pentax for dedicated photographers planning to develop a system. The Sony’s all-in-one zoom sets it apart for convenience and novelty but at the expense of optical and creative flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much

Practical shooting depends on endurance and media options.

• Pentax K-5 IIs: Economic use of battery with 980 shots per charge (CIPA standard), keeps you shooting longer on a single pack. Storage supports the common SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single slot.
• Sony H400: Modest 300 shots per charge, reflecting smaller battery and higher zoom mechanism power demands. Supports SD family plus Memory Stick PRO Duo variants.

Longer battery life of Pentax makes it better for extended shoots without the need to swap power sources frequently.

Connectivity and Video Capabilities

A modern camera should embrace multimedia needs.

The K-5 IIs offers full HD with access to manual exposure in video and external mic input, more suitable for semi-professional video work. The H400 tops out at HD 720p, with basic codecs limiting post-processing flexibility.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s scrutinize how each camera fares in popular photographic styles.

Portrait Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Skin tone rendering: Natural and richly detailed, helped by DSLR sensor quality.
  • Bokeh: Excellent subject separation thanks to APS-C sensor and wide lenses.
  • Eye autofocus: Basic face detection, no dedicated eye AF.
• Sony H400:
  • Digital zoom and small sensor compromise background blur.
  • Less natural skin tones due to limited dynamic range.

Landscape Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Great dynamic range captures complex lighting.
  • Weather sealing lets you shoot in varied outdoor conditions.
  • 16MP resolution sufficient for large prints.
• Sony H400:
  • Limited by sensor size and lack of weather sealing.
  • High zoom useful for distant scenery but image quality suffers.

Wildlife Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Fast 7 fps burst and precise AF ideal for moving animals.
  • Ouputs images with excellent detail and low noise.
• Sony H400:
  • Impressive zoom enables distant wildlife shots.
  • Slow AF and 1 fps continuous limit usability in action.

Sports Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Reliable AF tracking and rapid frame rate match demands.
• Sony H400:
  • Not designed for fast action; lag and slow shooter.

Street Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Larger and heavier than ideal but offers manual controls for creative flexibility.
• Sony H400:
  • Smaller form and zoom versatility mean longer reach without switching lenses.
  • Lower image quality in low light may be limiting.

Macro Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Macro lenses available with high magnification and focusing precision.
• Sony H400:
  • Limited macro capability due to fixed zoom lens.

Night/Astrophotography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • High ISO performance and long exposures excel at astrophotography.
  • Sensor’s low noise and high dynamic range stand out.
• Sony H400:
  • Small sensor noise and limited manual controls restrict night use.

Video Capabilities

• Pentax K-5 IIs: Full HD (1080p), manual exposure tweaks, microphone input for improved sound.
• Sony H400: HD (720p) with basic recording, suitable only for casual video.

Travel Photography

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Excellent image quality but heavier and bulkier.
  • Weather sealing and versatility reward serious travel photographers.
• Sony H400:
  • Compact and ultra-zoom lens handle many scenarios without lens changes.
  • Lighter and easier to pack but less image quality.

Professional Work

• Pentax K-5 IIs:
  • Robust file formats (RAW support), reliability, and lens system make it better for professional workflows.
• Sony H400:
  • Limited to JPEG, no raw, lower quality - primarily a casual use tool.

Summary Table: Key Specs and Features Side by Side

Who Should Consider the Pentax K-5 IIs?

• Photographers seeking professional-level image quality with APS-C DSLR performance.
• Those needing durable, weather-sealed bodies for outdoor, landscape, wildlife, or travel.
• Enthusiasts growing into a lens system and sophisticated controls.
• Videographers wanting basic full HD with external mic support.
• Users valuing high-speed shooting and dependable autofocus for action.

Who Should Consider the Sony H400?

• Beginners or casual users wanting an all-in-one camera with extraordinary zoom reach.
• Travelers wanting portability with a vast focal range without swapping lenses.
• Photographers with a limited budget seeking easy-to-use point-and-shoot functionality.
• People prioritizing convenience and simplicity over ultimate image quality or manual controls.
• Casual video shooters comfortable with 720p recording.

Performance Scores and Final Verdict

Here’s a visual performance comparison synthesized from detailed tests and ratings.

Pentax K 5 IIs front Pentax K 5 IIs screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

See how the Pentax produces finer detail and better dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting, while the Sony offers usable images for casual shooting.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Vision?

The Pentax K-5 IIs is a sophisticated, dependable DSLR breathing life into advanced photography for enthusiasts and professionals. Its APS-C sensor, rugged body, and comprehensive lens ecosystem empower creative control and superior image quality.

On the other hand, the Sony H400 is a bridge camera made for convenience and versatility, excelling with its extraordinary zoom factor and lightweight design. However, the small sensor and simplistic autofocus limit its potential in demanding photographic environments.

If you aspire to expand your photographic capabilities seriously and demand excellent image quality, the Pentax K-5 IIs is the wiser investment. If you want a budget-friendly all-rounder for travel and casual snaps, the Sony H400 delivers a compelling package.

Final Recommendations

• For advanced users and professionals: Choose the Pentax K-5 IIs to harness DSLR-grade performance across genres.
• For beginners and casual shooters: The Sony H400 is an excellent gateway camera with loads of zoom fun.
• For travel photographers prioritizing light gear: Balance size and quality needs carefully; the Pentax is heavier but higher quality, Sony lighter but lower image fidelity.
• For wildlife and sports photography: Pentax’s autofocus and burst speed are essential.

Don’t hesitate to visit a camera store or rent these models to get a feel in your hands and test your prioritized features before purchase.

Taking the time to choose wisely now accelerates your growth in the art of photography - whether capturing sweeping landscapes, candid street moments, or detailed portraits.

Ready to take your next step? Check out compatible lenses, accessories, or sample galleries to envision your creative possibilities!

Thank you for joining us on this in-depth comparison - may your images always tell the stories you envision.

Happy shooting!

Additional Resources

• Pentax K-5 IIs Official Support and Lens Compatibility Guides
• Sony H400 Sample Shots and User Feedback Forums
• Understanding Sensor Sizes and Their Impact on Photography
• Beginner’s Guide to Autofocus Systems Explained

Let me know if you'd like a tailored buying checklist or tips for mastering each camera’s capabilities!