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Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
82
Overall
65
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase 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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 was brought out 9 months prior to the NEX-5N which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the K-5 grades versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony NEX-5N

 K-5 NEX-5N 
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax K-5

 NEX-5N K-5 
IntroducedOctober 2011December 2010More modern by 9 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony NEX-5N

 K-5 NEX-5N 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 features 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 Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-5 against the NEX-5N.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and NEX-5N is 60 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and NEX-5N.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs however you will want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more aged K-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography info
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
73
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography information
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
57
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery power (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
65
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
70
great battery power (460 per charge)
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
33
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic port
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax K-5Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-12-18 2011-10-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
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 All around rating 82 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1162 1079
Other
Battery life 980 photos 460 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $800 $550