Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX100

Following is a thorough assessment of the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the NX100 (15MP) is very well matched but the X-5 (1/2.3") and NX100 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The X-5 was announced 24 months after the NX100 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the X-5 scores against the NX100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax X-5 & Samsung NX100. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax X-5 Gallery & Samsung NX100 Gallery.

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 has outer dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Samsung NX100 has specifications of 120mm x 71mm x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung NX100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the X-5 against the NX100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and NX100 is 65 and 88 respectively.

Often, its hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The pic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and NX100.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The X-5 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax X-5 will give you greater detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher X-5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.