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Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Pentax Optio I-10 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Pentax I-10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the I-10 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the I-10 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The I-10 was revealed 20 months before the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax I-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the I-10 matches up versus the NEX-5N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax I-10 over the Sony NEX-5N

 I-10 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax I-10

 NEX-5N I-10 
LaunchedOctober 2011January 2010Newer by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax I-10 and Sony NEX-5N

 I-10 NEX-5N 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax I-10 offers physical dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the I-10 against the NEX-5N.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the I-10 and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The image below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the I-10 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The I-10 using its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-5N will produce extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged I-10 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax I-10 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax I-10 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax I-10 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
58
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax I-10 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
better than average battery power (460 shots)
comes with focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax I-10
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
36
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax I-10 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
33
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax I-10 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax I-10 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax Optio I-10Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio I-10 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-01-25 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 153g (0.34 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $310 $550