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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax K-5 versus Sony HX300, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is very well matched but the K-5 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-5 was announced 3 years before the HX300 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the K-5 scores against the HX300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony HX300

 K-5 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax K-5

 HX300 K-5 
ReleasedFebruary 2013December 2010More modern by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX300

 K-5 HX300 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 has 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 HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-5 versus Sony HX300 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the K-5 compared to the HX300.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and HX300 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading through technical specs. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and HX300.

As you can tell, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-5 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX300 will resolve greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX300 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
42
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography info
Sony HX300 Street photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
Sony HX300 Sports photography info
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
55
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Sony HX300
65
environment sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
54
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (623 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
Sony HX300 Landscape photography info
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
48
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX300 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
25
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (623g)
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony HX300
 Pentax K-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-12-18 2013-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 grams (1.63 lbs) 623 grams (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $800 $339