Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5
69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push 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
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced June 2010

Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Overview
Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax K-x and Sony HX5, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the K-x (APS-C) and HX5 (1/2.4") offer totally different sensor sizing.

The K-x was released 5 months before the HX5 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-x scores against the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-x & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax K-x Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony HX5
K-x | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Pentax K-x
HX5 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony HX5
K-x | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2009 | ![]() | June 2010 | Same age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x enjoys exterior measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-x and Sony HX5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the K-x compared to the HX5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-x and HX5 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The visual here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and HX5.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-x featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-x will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Pentax K-x | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-x | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 151 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 16.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 580g (1.28 lb) | 200g (0.44 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.5 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 811 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1900 photographs | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $600 | $275 |