Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x
60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66


69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-x. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-5 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-x
K-5 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2010 | ![]() | December 2009 | Newer by 12 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
Pentax K-5 | Pentax 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 |