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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released November 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A7
  • Renewed by Sony A7 III
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A7 II (24MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A7 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor size.

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The X-5 was revealed 3 years before the A7 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the X-5 matches up vs the A7 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A7 II

 X-5 A7 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Pentax X-5

 A7 II X-5 
ReleasedNovember 2014August 2012Newer by 27 months
Screen resolution1230k460kClearer screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7 II

 X-5 A7 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 has outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony A7 II has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the X-5 versus the A7 II.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A7 II is 65 and 69 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and A7 II.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A7 II will result in greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged X-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony A7 II
43
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
82
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography features
Sony A7 II Street photography features
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (595 grams)
80
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony A7 II
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
bad battery (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7 II Travel photography highlights
53
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (595g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
weather proof
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
bad battery (350 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 II Landscape photography factors
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging information
Sony A7 II Vlogging information
26
reasonably wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
heavier than average (595g)
36
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A7 II
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha A7 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-22 2014-11-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 117
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 2449
Other
Battery life 330 images 350 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $230 $1,456