Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST30

The following is a extended review of the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and ST30 (10MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and ST30 (1/3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was announced 20 months after the ST30 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the X-5 grades against the ST30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax X-5 & Samsung ST30. The whole galleries are available at Pentax X-5 Gallery & Samsung ST30 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 has got exterior dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Samsung ST30 has measurements of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the X-5 and the ST30.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and ST30 is 65 and 98 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The pic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and ST30.

All in all, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax X-5 will result in extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The newer X-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.