Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
89 Imaging
55 Features
69 Overall
60
Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax K-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony NEX-5N
| K-5 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 921k | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax K-5
| NEX-5N | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | October 2011 | December 2010 | More modern by 9 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | 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 size | 3" | 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.
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.

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