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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX7V, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is fairly well matched but the K-5 (APS-C) and HX7V (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-5 was released 7 months earlier than the HX7V so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-5 grades versus the HX7V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony HX7V

 K-5 HX7V 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Pentax K-5

 HX7V K-5 
IntroducedJuly 2011December 2010More recent by 7 months

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX7V

 K-5 HX7V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution921k921kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. 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) while the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the K-5 vs the HX7V.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and HX7V is 60 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking specs. The visual here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and HX7V.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The K-5 has the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The older K-5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5
Street photography with Sony HX7V
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
Sony HX7V Sports photography advice
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Sony HX7V
65
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
67
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX7V Landscape photography factors
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
42
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-5
Vlogging with Sony HX7V
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony HX7V
 Pentax K-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-12-18 2011-07-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 gr (1.63 lb) 208 gr (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $800 $499