Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced December 2010
- Old Model is Pentax K-7
- Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released June 2010
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Here, we will be matching up the Pentax K-5 and Sony NEX-5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe K-5 was released 7 months later than the NEX-5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the K-5 scores versus the NEX-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-5 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K-5 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony NEX-5
| K-5 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | December 2010 | June 2010 | More recent by 7 months | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 920k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax K-5
| NEX-5 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony NEX-5
| K-5 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither features Touch screen |
Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
See the Pentax K-5 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the K-5 and the NEX-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and NEX-5 is 60 and 89 respectively.
Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The visual here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 and NEX-5.
To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-5 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2010-12-18 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Prime II | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | 51200 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Cross focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 151 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 740g (1.63 lb) | 287g (0.63 lb) |
| 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 Overall score | 82 | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 14.1 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | 1162 | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 980 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $800 | $599 |