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Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(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
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Older Model is Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony H55
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2010
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax K-5 versus Sony H55, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the H55 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the K-5 (APS-C) and H55 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The K-5 was brought out 7 months after the H55 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony H55 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-5 grades vs the H55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony H55

 K-5 H55 
AnnouncedDecember 2010June 2010More modern by 7 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Pentax K-5

 H55 K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony H55

 K-5 H55 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 features exterior measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Sony H55 has proportions of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-5 versus Sony H55 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the K-5 vs the H55.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and H55 is 60 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and H55.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-5 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-5 will resolve greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The newer K-5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H55 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
28
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
Sony H55 Street photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
Sony H55 Sports photography information
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Sony H55
65
weather proof
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
67
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
Sony H55 Landscape photography features
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-5
Vlogging with Sony H55
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly display
28
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony H55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony H55
 Pentax K-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-12-18 2010-06-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 grams (1.63 lb) 200 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $800 $235