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Pentax K-x vs Sony A550

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-x and Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-x was unveiled around the same time to the A550 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the K-x scores vs the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A550

 K-x A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-x

 A550 K-x 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A550

 K-x A550 
AnnouncedDecember 2009December 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-x enjoys exterior measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the K-x against the A550.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and A550 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and A550.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A550 to deliver more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a little more aggressively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
Sony A550 Portrait photography factors
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
54
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography information
Sony A550 Landscape photography information
61
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
not so great battery (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-x
Vlogging with Sony A550
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A550
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-12-23 2009-12-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 16.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.8
DXO Low light rating 811 807
Other
Battery life 1900 photos 480 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $600 $749