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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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 A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • New Model is Sony A7S II
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A7S, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A7S (12MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The X-5 was introduced 19 months prior to the A7S which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the X-5 scores versus the A7S in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A7S

 X-5 A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Pentax X-5

 A7S X-5 
AnnouncedApril 2014August 2012More recent by 19 months
Screen resolution1230k460kCrisper screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S

 X-5 A7S 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 provides physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A7S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the X-5 and the A7S.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A7S is 65 and 77 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at specifications. The photograph below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and A7S.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The X-5 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax X-5 will give extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older X-5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony A7S
43
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
68
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X-5
Street photography with Sony A7S
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others (595 grams)
76
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than competitors in class (489g)
very good ISO range (409,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony A7S
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (360 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography details
Sony A7S Travel photography details
53
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (595 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
58
lighter than competitors in class (489 grams)
weather sealing
terrible battery power (360 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7S as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
quite wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (409,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
Sony A7S Vlogging advice
26
quite wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
heavier than others (595g)
34
has face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
lighter than competitors in class (489 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha A7S
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-22 2014-04-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 6400 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
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
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lbs) 489g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 3702
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 360 pictures
Battery form 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 recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $230 $1,998