Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65


66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Replaced the Pentax K-7
- Later Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Launched June 2010
- Old Model is Sony A230

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's look more in depth at the Pentax K-5 versus Sony A290, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

The K-5 was manufactured 7 months after the A290 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the K-5 grades versus the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-5 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-5 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony A290
K-5 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 7 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-5
A290 | K-5 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony A290
K-5 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 offers physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-5 versus Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the K-5 compared to the A290.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and A290 is 60 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The image below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and A290.
To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-5 to result in greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger K-5 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2010-12-18 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 51200 | - |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic 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 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 82 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.1 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1162 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 pictures | 290 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $800 | $600 |