Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55
Portability
60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Portability
67 Imaging
56 Features
80 Overall
65
67 Imaging
56 Features
80 Overall
65
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Key Specs
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
(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
- Introduced December 2010
- Succeeded the Pentax K-7
- Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A55
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Introduced August 2010
- Successor is Sony A57
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Overview
Following is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe K-5 was released 4 months after the A55 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-5 grades against the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-5 & Sony SLT-A55. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-5 Gallery & Sony A55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony A55
| K-5 | A55 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax K-5
| A55 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony A55
| K-5 | A55 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | December 2010 |  | August 2010 | Similar age |
| Manual focus |  | More accurate focusing | ||
| Display size | 3" |  | 3" | Same display measurements |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 921k | Exact same display resolution |
| Touch display |  | Neither offers Touch display |
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 offers outside measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while the Sony A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the K-5 compared to the A55.
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and A55 is 60 and 67 respectively.
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and A55.
Plainly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of photographs though you should consider the age of the products into consideration.
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
Sony A55 Portrait photography information
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsStreet Comparison
Pentax K-5 Street photography details
Sony A55 Street photography details
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsSports Comparison
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
Sports photography with Sony A55
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery (380 per charge)
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
Sony A55 Travel photography information
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (380 shots)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
Sony A55 Landscape photography details
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
bad battery (380 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesVlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
Vlogging with Sony A55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A55 Specifications
| Pentax K-5 | Sony SLT-A55 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-5 | Sony SLT-A55 |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2010-12-18 | 2010-08-24 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Prime II | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 51200 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross type focus points | 9 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,150 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 740 gr (1.63 pounds) | 500 gr (1.10 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 82 | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 23.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.1 | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 1162 | 816 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 980 shots | 380 shots |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Retail cost | $800 | $800 |
