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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX9V, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty similar but the K-5 (APS-C) and HX9V (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The K-5 was announced 7 months before the HX9V so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the K-5 matches up vs the HX9V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony HX9V

 K-5 HX9V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Pentax K-5

 HX9V K-5 
IntroducedJuly 2011December 2010More modern by 7 months

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX9V

 K-5 HX9V 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 provides external dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 and Sony HX9V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-5 against the HX9V.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and HX9V is 60 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The image here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 and HX9V.

All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The K-5 contains the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field simpler. The more aged K-5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
Sony HX9V Portrait photography information
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
39
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography features
Sony HX9V Sports photography features
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
44
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proofing
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
69
lighter than others (245 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
Landscape photography with Sony HX9V
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
Sony HX9V Vlogging info
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony HX9V
 Pentax K-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-12-18 2011-07-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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 - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 gr (1.63 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 images -
Battery format 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
Cost at launch $800 $328