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Pentax K-x vs Sony A55

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Pentax K-x versus Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and A55 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-x was brought out 8 months earlier than the A55 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the K-x grades versus the A55 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A55

 K-x A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax K-x

 A55 K-x 
ReleasedAugust 2010December 2009Fresher by 8 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A55

 K-x A55 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-x features exterior measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony A55 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Pentax K-x versus Sony A55 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the K-x against the A55.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and A55 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and A55.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony A55 to provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The older K-x will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography information
Sony A55 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low battery life (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography factors
Sony A55 Travel photography factors
54
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
62
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse recording
low battery life (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography features
Sony A55 Landscape photography features
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
tiny screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (380 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging highlights
Sony A55 Vlogging highlights
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A55
 Pentax K-xSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-x Sony SLT-A55
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-12-23 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 16.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 500 grams (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 73
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.4
DXO Low light rating 811 816
Other
Battery life 1900 images 380 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $600 $800