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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R II front
Portability
68
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R 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
  • Launched August 2012
Sony A7R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 625g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Launched June 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony A7R
  • Successor is Sony A7R III
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7R II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A7R II (42MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A7R II (Full frame) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The X-5 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the A7R II which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7R II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the X-5 scores against the A7R II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A7R II

 X-5 A7R II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R II over the Pentax X-5

 A7R II X-5 
LaunchedJune 2015August 2012Newer by 34 months
Display resolution1229k460kSharper display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7R II

 X-5 A7R II 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 has got outside measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R II has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 625 grams (1.38 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7R II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the X-5 versus the A7R II.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A7R II is 65 and 68 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and A7R II.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A7R II will provide you with extra detail having an extra 26MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged X-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony A7R II
43
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
85
you can focus manually
great resolution (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
Sony A7R II Street photography factors
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition in class (595g)
81
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony A7R II
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low battery power (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography advice
Sony A7R II Travel photography advice
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (595g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
62
environment sealing
great resolution (42MP)
low battery power (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography information
Sony A7R II Landscape photography information
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery power (290 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony A7R II
26
pretty wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competition in class (595g)
37
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A7R II
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha A7R II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha A7R II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-08-22 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 7974 x 5316
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 399
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest 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
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 625g (1.38 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 98
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 3434
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 290 pictures
Type of battery 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $230 $2,913