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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Older Model is Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced December 2009
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-x, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are produced by Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 was unveiled 12 months after the K-x which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the K-5 scores versus the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-x

 K-5 K-x 
IntroducedDecember 2010December 2009Newer by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Pentax K-5

 K-x K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-x

 K-5 K-x 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 comes with exterior dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-x in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-5 against the K-x.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and K-x is 60 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The image here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 and K-x.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-5 to offer you greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent K-5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-x Street photography advice
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
65
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
54
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging features
Pentax K-x Vlogging features
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-5Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 Pentax K-x
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-12-18 2009-12-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 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, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 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 424 (25, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 gr (1.63 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 72
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1162 811
Other
Battery life 980 photos 1900 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $800 $600