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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
59
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K20D front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K20D (15MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very well matched and they use the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K20D was brought out 23 months earlier than the NEX-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K20D matches up against the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Sony NEX-5

 K20D NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax K20D

 NEX-5 K20D 
LaunchedJune 2010June 2008More recent by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-5

 K20D NEX-5 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K20D provides external measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the K20D and the NEX-5.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K20D and NEX-5 is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K20D and NEX-5.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax K20D to give greater detail having its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older K20D is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K20D Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K20D Street photography details
Sony NEX-5 Street photography details
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
76
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K20D Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography details
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
51
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K20D Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
64
environment proofing
good MP (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly display
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K20D Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography factors
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
tiny screen (2.7")
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K20D
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
9
no video shooting
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax K20DSony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K20D Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2008-06-25 2010-06-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4672 x 3104 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
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) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 287 grams (0.63 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 69
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.2
DXO Low light rating 639 796
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $700 $599